Archive for the ‘water’ Category

Winter Vacation Dilemmas: Book Ahead or Risk It?

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, 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, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, first aid, 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, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beach, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, travel, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on November 27, 2024| Leave a Comment »

DANGED IF YOU DO DANGED IF YOU DON’T

Originally Published In Western Outdoor Publications

If you had not already made it, a lot of folks are planning their winter vacations about now. I know where we live in La Paz, we’re starting to see the snowbirds descend on our area.

We think things are starting to get “chilly” when the thermometer drops into the 60’s and 70’s. But it’s still a sight warmer than places like Canada, North Dakota and Washington.

Like any vacation of this sort, you probably start with flights then lodging. Then, you may or may not make reservations for your activities.

Will you want to go fishing? Scuba diving? Kayaking? Maybe some famous booze cruise?

So, here’s the conundrum.

Making reservations for activities in the winter are a lot different than activities in the summer. Forget all the glossy internet and magazine photos.

The reality is that its WINTER!

No matter who you are or where you’re coming from…no matter that you got the mega deal on your hotel room and the all-you-can-eat buffet is waiting, you cannot change the fact that it’s winter.

And that means weather. Erratic weather. Especially if you plan to do any activities on the ocean.

So you want to go fishing in Cabo? Or Puerto Vallarta? Some other spot?

It could be flat or calm or you find out too late that those winter waves coming across the Pacific Ocean were meant just to spoil your day. Those blasting gusting winds aren’t any fun either.

Scuba diving or snorkeling? Same thing. Waves and wind on top. Cold murky water below the surface.

The booze cruise turns changes your day from a holding your margarita to holding down your lunch.

But, the reality is weather happens.

The conundrum is whether you should make your reservations ahead of time or wait.

If you make your reservations ahead of time, at least you have something on the agenda. You have more choices in vendors. Maybe there’s a discount. You have more options. There’s a sense of security.

Barring other unforeseen things, you’re locked in.

On the other hand, you could wait.

Check out the weather. Do a little more research. Walk around the area and shop. Talk to people.

But if you wait, you might find out your first choice is sold out. They might all be sold out!

Or, your last choice in activity vendor is the operation that no one wanted anyway.

There’s a reason why that last guy didn’t have any customers!

Or, if the demand is high, forget the discounts. You might end up paying a premium.

The vendor knows he will sell out. If you want that last set of seats, he can charge whatever he wants. If you snub him, he knows he can sell it to someone else.

But what happens if you book either before-hand or on-the-fly.

What happens if weather un-corks itself right on your picnic.

If you’ve already climbed aboard and are out on the water, it kinda depends. Maybe a generous provider or outfitter will give you credit or a discount towards another trip.

A “rain check” if you will.

But, don’t count on it. Definitely, you won’t get your money back. Especially in Mexico.

Gas has been bought for the boat. The crew has been paid. Permits have already been paid.

If food was provided, and you already started in on it, or even if it hasn’t been touched, it can’t be saved for the next day and still be fresh.

So, you’re outta luck.

That’s just how things are. You take that chance anytime you head out on the water. Even during the best times.

But, what if you booked in advance. You’ve paid a deposit. Maybe you’ve already paid for the whole thing.

And then, it’s too rough. Or dangerous. Or a storm hits.

Again, you probably won’t get a refund, but you might want to look at your invoice if you even got one. Most operators I know DO NOT provide refunds.

But, you might get a credit for another day or another trip. But, honestly, how often do you plan to come back to this same destination?

Again, you might just be out-of-luck.

Decisions. Decisions.

Personally, I book ahead of time and I do my research ahead of time. If an operator has been around for awhile, they are not fly-by-night operators.

It takes a lot to stay in any business and keep it going.

And, I would specifically ask what happens if there’s a weather or other unforeseen issues.

Better to know ahead of time than finding out right in the middle of your vacation.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

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THEY’RE GETTING MORE PICKY AT THE GATE

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, 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, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, 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, hurricane, hurricanes, 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, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, travel, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on September 21, 2024| Leave a Comment »

THEY’RE GETTING MORE PICKY AT THE GATE

Originally Published the Week of Sept. 20, 2024 in Western Outdoor Publications

Oh for those “good old days.”

When I first used to come to Baja more than 40 years ago, part of the thrill was figuring out all the fishing gear I could bring. Looking back, I can only shake my head.

“What was I thinking?”

It’s funny how our perceptions change over the years.

I kid you not. I would bring a dozen sticks and reels. Plus extra reels in case I needed to change things out. Lure of every size and color. Extra spools of line. All the accessories like dikes, pliers, rod belts and other “essential gadgets.”

I could have used a whole village of sherpas. It’s no wonder I have back, neck and knee problems in my older age. I don’t even know how I got it through airports. I don’t remember ever using a cart and I still only had 2 arms and 2 legs.

Hmmmm…

And that didn’t even include clothes and personal items. But, heck…back then…maybe two pairs of shorts…a couple of fishing t-shirts…some flip flops…hat and sunglasses.

If you couldn’t rinse it in the hotel sink or take a shower with it on, you didn’t bring it! Fishing gear weighed 100 pounds. Clothes bag weighed almost nothing!

Gear was certainly the priorty.

One of our favorite little tricks was get all the guys to stuff all the rods into a single travel tube. Less hassle and cheaper. One guy carries and checks-in the big tube.

Well…this is your friendly public service announcement.

Mexico seems like it’s really going out of it’s way at the airports to streamline your arrivals and departures. Especially for folks arriving on vacation.

I saw a study where the average tourist was taking an hour or more to get off their plane and finally making it outside the airport. Actually, in many cases 90 minutes to get out. That was longer than some of the flights!

I have to say as a frequent flyer and also dealing with hundreds of fishing clients a month with our transportation service, they have succeeded.

For 90% of our visitors just pulling a suitcase or an ice chest, it’s generally better and faster than it has ever been.

There’s just one little hiccup. And for us fishermen, it can really be a pain-in-the-neck and a terrible way to start your much-anticipated vacation.

The airport inspectors…especially the customs guys are starting to enforce the customs regulations.

Nothing has changed. They’re just starting to hunker down more.

For so many years we pretty much brought down whatever we wanted, right?

Not so much anymore.

I have dozens of fishing clients and their families and friends who arrive at the Cabo Airport every week.

With increasing frequency, folks are getting stopped. For example:

I’ve had a number of guys get fined for bringing in too many rods and reels. (So much now for packing everyone’s rods in one guy’s rod tube)

I’ve had them fine one client for bringing in too many cartons of their favorite cigarettes.

One of my clients got fined for bringing a case of his favorite beer that isn’t offered in Mexico. The case of PBR cost him $10 at home. The fine was $30! So, the case ultimately cost $40.

Stuff like that…

The biggest stopper is the rods and reels. Especially right now with all of the tournaments happening in Baja. So, beware.

Here’s the full list of things that were always on the customs forms we all ignored:

https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/reinounido/index.php/es/servicios-a-extranjeros/79#4

And here’s some highlights of particular interest to fishermen and their friends and family:

– 2 photographic or video recording cameras; photographic material; 3 mobile telephones or other wireless networks; a global positioning equipment (GPS); an electronic notepad; a laptop, notebook, omni book or similar; a portable copier or printer; a DVD burner and a portable projector, with its accessories.

– 2 personal sports equipment, 4 fishing rods, 3 sailboards with or without a sail and their accessories, trophies, or recognitions, if they can be transported commonly and normally by the passenger.

– A portable sound recording or reproducing or mixed device or 2 for digital image and sound recording or reproducing apparatus and a portable DVD player; a set of portable speakers, and their accessories.

– 5 laser discs, 10 DVD discs, 30 compact discs, 3 software packages and 5 storage devices for any electronic equipment.

– Books, magazines, and printed documents.

– 5 toys, including collectibles, a video game console and 5 video games.

– Suitcases, trunks or any other item necessary for the transfer of luggage.

– A binocular and a telescope.

– 2 musical instruments and their accessories.

– A tent and other camping gear.

– A set of hand tools with its case, which may include a drill, pliers, wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, power cords, among others.

Passengers over 18 years of age, a maximum of 10 cigarette packs, 25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco; up to 3 liters of alcoholic beverages and 6 liters of wine.

Consider yourself warned! See you down here!

That’s my story!

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

GOING FULL NATIVE

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, 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, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, 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, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, 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, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on September 6, 2024| Leave a Comment »

GOING FULL NATIVE

Originally Published the Week of Sept. 7, 2024 in Western Outdoor Publications

Several decades ago, we started doing “Street Taco Tours” with our fishing guests who came to visit us for fishing down here in La Paz.

It got pretty popular!

Sometimes, we’d be doing it 3 or 4 times a week with sometimes several dozen guests a night. It got to the point where folks would have to reserve space well in advance.

They were fun. Informative. And most of all delicious.

It was a chance to visit places most tourists would never find or venture to try. These were all mom-and-pop places that you would never find on Google, Yelp or Trip Advisor.

Often, they would be down neighborhood streets or alleys or some corner far away from the tourist areas.

But as I often tell our guests, eating in Mexico is a lot like eating in the states. If you see 3 burger stands in a row and 2 of them are empty and one of them has a line around it, it’s not hard to figure where to go eat.

And, that’s the way these taquerias are.

You’re headed down a dark neighborhood street lit only by a few street lights and see maybe the occasional dog sleeping off the sidewalk. You turn a corner and you’re greeted by the lights and whole neighborhood chowing down!

Plastic chairs and tables with beer logos on them…maybe a string of white lights…and all kinds of sizzling aromatic meats coming of a flaming grill or flatiron . Maybe a portable radio or CD player with some great banda music. A table full of temping salsas and pretty much everyone smiling and enjoying the eatery, but also kind of a community central!

You’ve arrived. Join in!

Now, most of these places all have the usual tacos that gringos know…mostly carne asada. Essentially grilled beef.

Packed into a warm tortilla and slathered with salsas and other condiments…A great choice. Can’t miss. Like ordering a cheeseburger at your favorite fast food or a ribeye at your favorite steak house.

But, if you want to step outside the safety zone and go full native Mexicano, here’s some other tasty options. Some are familiar to some tourists while others require “full immersion!”

Al Pastor – Marinated pork in mild spices and pineapple flame-cooked on a vertical rotisserie like shwarma and thin sliced portions right into the tortilla and handed to you.

Carnitas – A big favorite. It’s slow roasted pulled-pork cut into tender chunks into your tortilla. Often combined with some of the other items on this list.

Chicarrones – Deep fried crunchy pork skin. Chopped into the tortilla if it’s soft. Or if really crunchy, packed into a tortilla with other meats like carnitas much the way you’d put a lot of bacon bits on things back home. Minced onions and cilantro are a plus!

Costilla – Not terribly adventurous because it’s beef rib meat! Not many places have it, but when you find it, jump on it. Hard to go astray with the meat from beef ribs!

Often served with a cup of consommé which is basically the beef drippings and broth. Dip your rib taco into it like a beef dip sandwich and take a bite!

Chorizo – Spicy Mexican pork sausage. Chopped, shredded and grilled. There are many different versions. Some sweet. Some more spicy. Restaurants will mix it with eggs. And perfect for burritos. But at a street stand, straight into your tortilla to be covered with salsa.

Tripa – OK. Now were veering outside the box! This is Tripe! Chewy tender chopped grilled or slow-cooked lining of the cow’s stomach. The texture is a bit chewy and has a delicious mild beef flavor. Often found in menudo.

Lengua – A big favorite. This is cow tongue. It’s braised with onions and garlic. I’ve heard it described as a heartier and beefier flavor than flank steak or even surpassing filet mignon. Chopped small into a tortilla with salsa and hit it with a quick squeeze of lime to make the flavor explode!

Seso – Cow brain. There. I said it. Yes, cow brain. It’s firm. It’s moist. It has a strong beef flavor and very tender.

Ojos – Yup…cow eyeballs. I kinda thought they were very mild…but FYI…they were kinda crunchy. Didn’t taste bad at all. They were so mild, the salsa really made them tasty. Just had trouble with the “crunch” once my friend told me what they were!

Cachete – Basically cow cheeks. They can be tough and stringy so that’s why it’s slow cooked and it comes out quite tender and tasting very much like beef rib meat. It’s rich and very marbled which really enhances the flavor.

In total honesty, yes, I’ve eaten all of these. But again, full discloser and transparency, a few of them I ate without knowing what I was eating.

I was told AFTER-THE-FACT!

I think it was to watch my expression. All of them were good in their own way and many of my local friends crave these different meats. But if you really want to live large…give them a try and come to your own culinary conclusions!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

GOTTA TRY TO BE BETTER

Posted in airlines, aquaculture, 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, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, 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, hurricane, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on July 28, 2024| Leave a Comment »

GOTTA TRY TO BE BETTER

Originally Published the Week of July 28, in Western Outdoor Publications

We run several businesses here in Mexico. La Paz in Baja to be sure, about 100 miles north of Cabo San Lucas.

We have a lot of employees.

We have boat captains, drivers, managers and fish packers. At our restaurant as you might expect…cooks, waiters, kitchen assistants, bartender, etc.

I caught myself thinking the other day about so many of the folks in our restaurant.

I see them daily. I say hi. How are you. The usual stuff in Spanish.

Of course, thank you and good job. Professionally cordial and social.

Maybe occasionally issue some direction like “That table needs another order of guacamole.”

Nothing too complicated. They are mostly great folks and work hard…most of the time. Like all of us.

Mostly, I leave the heavy restaurant lifting to our managers or my wife, who are very good and work very hard as well. I try to stay in my lane as much as possible.

But, I caught myself the other day realizing something that is usually very important to me.

I’m very social, but I don’t really know the names of at least half our restaurant employees! Really not like me.

I think it’s because in the “new normal,” probably 30% of them will be gone before the month is over.

Half of them won’t be here in 3 months. I would bet 90% will be different by this time next year!

Of our current employees, half of them weren’t here 2 months ago.

Somewhere subconsciously, I told myself it was pointless to learn names until it looked like they were going to be sticking around. Why waste the energy of someone who won’t be here very long?

And that’s a terrible way to look at people. Assuming the worst!

It’s hard to find and keep employees these days. Just like in the U.S.

Seemingly, no one wants to work. Or they skitter from one job to the next searching for a better deal or whatever.

It occurred to me that maybe some of our employees leave because the owner (me) must be a jerk. That guy is me.

Are they saying and thinking, “My boss never says much to me and he never even learned my name or called me by my name!”

Ouch. Guilty.

So, the last few days, I made a point to actually chat with a few of our folks. (I made sure to “cheat” first by checking our payroll list.)

Some pretty interesting and astounding things.

Let me say as a preface, that folks come to work. And work is the focus. Employees are clean. Arrive for their shifts.

Work then leave. All very cordial…as much as possible in a sometimes hectic restaurant environment.

But, having a conversation I find out…

Selene is one of 4 adult kids still living with her mom. Mom is diabetic and chronically ill. Only she and a younger brother work and support the whole family. Dad disappeared when she was a kid. She never went past 5^th grade.

Vincente has been a waiter for as long as he can remember. He’s about in his late 30’s. He has 6 kids in the house including an infant.

Two of the kids are actually a niece and nephew. He took them in because of issues in that house. His wife can’t work because she’s taking care of all the kids. So, a single income family and he makes about $200 a week plus tips.

Their house only has a mini-frig with no freezer and is about the size of a frig in someone’s mancave to keep beer cold.

Lucio…we’ll he’s been with us for almost a year.

I had no idea, he takes the bus…yes, the bus to get to work. And then at night when we close at 10 p.m. or so, he takes the bus back home.

The ride each way on the bus is an hour or more depending on the bus! And the bus ride usually eats up whatever tip money he earns. This is for a job washing dishes.

A couple of days ago, he told me they didn’t have water in his 3^rd floor apartment with his girlfriend. The city was having a tiff with the city water company. Water had been shut off to some neighborhoods for several days.

So, he had to carry 5 gallon buckets of water up and down the stairs several times a day to fill the water tank on their roof so they had water for the kitchen, bath and toilet.

Emilio…has sole custody of his son. The son had a medical emergency that ate up the budget for the week.

With what he had leftover, he had to make a decision on whether to spend it on the electric bill for light…the gas bill so they could cook…or gas for his motorcycle so he could get to work.

It’s humbling and sobering.

As an American, we just unconsciosly assume everyone has a car or a refrigerator. Or water. Or has a way to cook food.

Shame on me that my avoidance mechanism is to just calling everyone, “amigo.” It’s more “convenient” than learning a name!

It makes me appreciate them more for what they have to do in order to work and what daily decisions they have to make.

Like eveyrone I have problems and get stressed. But, I really don’t. Not compared to others. I have lots of “inconveniences.” Not problems.

…and shame on me for not even learning their names!

I will have to do better and not take so much for granted.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

OVER-THINKING THIS WHOLE THING?

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, 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, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, 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, hurricane, hurricanes, 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, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, Tailhunter Sea Level, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on July 19, 2024| 1 Comment »

You built it and they’re coming!

OVER-THINKING THIS WHOLE THING?

Originally Published the Week of July 19, 2024 in Western Outdoor Publications

When I was an attorney, we had a saying, “Everyone tells their story in their own self-interest.”

That’s not to say folks lie. Some do. Some don’t.

Some just embellish or elaborate on the truth. Not quite “fibbing” but everyone slants their story in their own favor.

Human nature.

So, this time, I’m gonna buck the inclination.

What I write is probably NOT in my own self-interest, but maybe in a convoluted way, it is.

It’s just another side…another angle, if you will on some developments down here.

It’s about fixing things that aren’t broken.

We’ve lived and worked down here in La Paz some 30 years. The changes and developments that keep rolling in are exponential.

Construction everywhere. I guess that’s part of being a destination city.

If you leave anywhere near a place where folks come to vacation or where they are re-locating…the coast…the mountains…a river…a lake…

You know what I’m talking about!

There’s really not much to do about it either, but here’s my take from another angle.

Here in La Paz, they stopped direct airline flights from the U.S. about a dozen years ago. We just weren’t “touristy” enough.

You had to fly from the U.S. to Cabo and shuttle or drive up 3 hours the 100 miles to La Paz.

Or you took a convoluted series of connection flights that got you here.

Or you could catch a direct flight from Tijuana.

I’ll admit. Not the most convenient. Actually, kind of a pain in the B..TT, for most of us. Not just the extra time, but the cost as well.

But, I like being “non-touristy!”

The world is full of Cozumels, Cancuns, Puerta Vallartas and Cabo San Lucases. Nothing wrong with that. Fun spots and they certainly have their place.

To each their own.

But the world is quickly losing the alternative non-touristy spots.

Like La Paz…family-oriented…relatively quiet…you can walk the historic streets…no one chases you down the street to sell you t-shirts, timeshares or jewelry.

But, the word is out. And people are flocking. I get it.

Every magazine article…every youtube video…”La Paz is the Next Hidden Spot!”

Come find it!

Right…

So, for the first time in more than a decade, there will be 2-5 flights a week from Los Angeles here.

Sigh and a big whoopie.

As a business, sure, this will be great. Make is easier for people to find us and get to us. More clients. More business.

But that’s the problem as well.

There should still be places on this planet that are little harder to find. There should still be places that are a little harder to get to.

That’s the charm and attraction. The “road less traveled” is not as easy to find as our planet gets more crowded and people go wandering around the face of the Earth.

I’ve seen it. You have seen it. I’ve visited places around the world as well. I’ll admit my own mind starts fantasizing…

Man, it would be great to buy some land here. Or buy or build a house here. Or live here!

Same thing down here. The land boom is already on. The construction crush is here.

The powers-that-be with more wisdom than I possess took one of the local beaches…one of the prettiest in Mexico if not the world…and decided to put bathrooms out there. And shady palapas and trash cans.

Let’s fix what wasn’t broken!

Well, what was once a beach you would find in Conde Nas and National Geographic is now so covered with beachgoers and vendors selling churros and t-shirts that the they have a quota now on how many folks can be there at one time.

You have a time limit as well as to how long you can stay. There’s a waiting line to get in. And don’t get me started on the trash!

To another beach, they turned a little two-lane Mexican road into a super highway. Same thing happened. They built it and yes…they came…in droves.

I know there’s no stopping this. But, I do lament the progress of not leaving well-enough alone and remember what it used to be like.

These ARE the good-old days.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

A DIFFERENT EERIE LONELY

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, 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, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, 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, Heat stroke, highway, historical, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, 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, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on July 11, 2024| Leave a Comment »

A DIFFERENT EERIE LONELY

Originally Published the Week of July 11, 2024 in Western Outdoor Publications

You do what you need to do when you’re in need of food and money. There was a time some 30 years ago when I first ended up in Baja that there were some really lean times.

I mean, the kind of times where I would be looking under the seats of my van for enough spare change to buy a taco or two to eat.

The street vendors would make the tacos with two tortillas so I could make TWO tacos out’ve them. I would then stuff them with so much shredded lettuce, mince carrots, grilled onions as I could until overflowing.

So much for a balanced meal.

And now here I was in the middle of the ocean wondering what in the world I had signed up for.

I had been hired by TV film crew to accompany them to the offshore banks in the Pacific some 20 miles-or-so west of the Baja Peninsula and Bahia Magdalena.

They wanted to hook a bunch of striped marlin and send down a camera crew to film the action. There are times when you can hook dozens of marlin a day in the area.

The banks are rich with fish. Not only marlin, but wahoo, tuna, grouper, yellowtail and more.

It’s also known to have a lot of sharks!

My job?

As an experienced Divemaster, my job was to slip into the water with my SCUBA gear and follow the underwater camera crew.

Actually, I was to stay UNDER the camera crew.

Since they would be focusing through the camera on the crazy fishing, they would only have a very myopic view of their underwater surroundings.

My enviable job?

Hang out well below them and…

WATCH FOR SHARKS!

If sharks approached or look threatening, I was supposed to warn the camera crew. That was the whole job description.

I don’t know if I was supposed to poke them; prod them; blow bubbles at them or what. Somehow I was just supposed to alert them that sharks were prowling.

I was the scout. The point man.

I had a number of years as a working divemaster and fishing guide and diving guide. This seemed like an easy job. No one to lead around.

Just watch! How hard could that be for several days?

And I needed the money. A no-brainer.

That is…until I slipped into the water.

Blue blue blue. Clear clear clear. Nothing but blue

Even with hundreds of dives in my log book, this was something very very different.

It was beyond eerie. It was just me down there. I was used to having diving clients. I was used to having points of reference while diving. Things to see and gauge what I was doing.

A reef…rockpile…coral…a wreck…an island.

This was 20 miles into the middle of the ocean. In waters known to have sharks. In fact, that’s why they hired me!

I’ve dove with sharks before, but this was kinda creepy.

Kinda like in the horror movies where the kid goes down into the dark basement where the lights don’t work. You just KNOW all kinds of horrors await..scary clowns…a guy in hockey mask…a Chucky doll…

The mind races.

It was definitely a WHAT-THE-HE#L-MOMENT! It was a kick-yourself-in-the-butt and come-to-Jesus moment!

Here, there were no points of reference. No sounds.

At one point I was concentrating so hard trying to force my eyes to see into the blue vacuum that the boat and camera crew drifted away.

Suddenly, I find myself 30’ underwater.

Nothing but shimmering blue that goes into…dark shimmering blue below. The light from the surface gets sucked down into a darkening abyss. Vacuumed into liquid nothingness!

Somewhere down there hundreds of feet down is ocean bottom? Maybe ?

Around me more blue.

No sounds except the sound of my breathing in my regulator. Eerie penetrating silence. In middle of the ocean dozens of miles from land.

In my dives I have often found diving to be relaxing. Even soothing. Even harmonious. Like listening to new age music in a rainstorm or something like that.

This was hardly soothing or harmonious.

I had to choke down the bits of panic creeping into my brain. I was literally way over my head in the deep deep end of the Earth’s swimming pool. Suspended in blue space.

And alone. I’ve often been alone and crave solitude. But, this wasn’t like that. More lonely than I think I have ever felt.

I felt very small.

In a place that was well known for things that like to come out’ve the blue void and eat.

Very vulnerable. At the same time, I wanted to make myself even smaller and invisible.

I’ve been around long enough in the water to know that predators key on distress. They can smell it. They have tractor beams to it. And to me it felt like fear was seeping out’ve me in buckets.

I did the only thing I could.

Slowly rise with my bubbles to the surface. Gather myself.

Did a 360 on the surface and saw the big boat. About 100 yards away. Luckily, they had been looking for me as well.

For the next 10 minutes I bobbed and dangled out there. Like bait. Unnerving, but at least I knew they were coming for me.

Never saw a single shark over 3 days.

Never felt so good climbing onto that deck either.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

CHECK YOUR TOYS AT THE DOOR PLEASE

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, 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, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, 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, hurricane, hurricanes, 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, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on May 23, 2024| Leave a Comment »

CHECK YOUR TOYS AT THE DOOR…

Originally Published the Week of May 5, 2024 in Western Outdoor Publications

There was a time many many years ago in another time, space and dimension when I would visit Mexico to go fishing, I brought a lot of gear. Maybe you were the same way.

I had the biggest of the biggest rod tubes they sold. It was jammed with so many rods back-to-front and front-to-back.

As many as I could fit.

Trolling rods. Jig sticks. Live bait rods. Light tackle sticks. Flipping sticks. Meat sticks. Maybe a spinning rods or two for good measure.

It was like the old saying, “Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.”

Had to bring ‘em all plus every new rod that “needed to be broken in!”

And of course, that meant I needed a reel to match every rod. All by themselves, they filled a suitcase or an ice chest.

Can’t forget the terminal tackle either. Lures. Hooks. Extra line. Every color of lure, jig and trolling feather. Plus all the gadgets like dikes. Needle-nosed pliers. A fillet knife. Wire crimps and of course a fighting belt or harness. etc. etc.

Sound familiar?

I look back on those days and shake my head.

Honestly, at the end of the trip, I might have used 10% of all that. I couldn’t even physically carry that gear now. I wouldn’t want to on my old knees, shoulders and joints.

But those were the days when everyone did that.

We dragged these highly awkward 7 and 8-foot plastic rod tubes in our cars and through the airports. We tried not to smack folks in the head.

Our tackle bags required sherpas and porters to heft.

When we reached our destinations, it took half-a-day to set it all up.

And if your buddies all brought stuff, everyone had to spread their stuff out on the hotel room floor and beds and compare toys!

But, that was another day and time.

Airlines didn’t ding you an arm-and-leg for your luggage. Or hit you up for a small mortgage if things were over-sized or overweight.

Those were also days when “sharp things” weren’t frowned upon or outlawed in the cabin. They did not result in raised eyebrows going through an x-ray machine.

I’ve had friends try to carry on machetes, anchors, hunting knives, crossbows (yes!), spears and gaffs, let alone pocket knives and multi-tools.

But, over the years, that has all diminished quite a bit.

It’s just too hard. It’s too expensive.

The airlines and TSA are understandably too watchful. It’s a pain-in-the-@#$$ to get searched. We all hate just taking off our shoes!

But a number of folks still bring stuff. That’s all well-and-good. There’s another saying about “never going to war with someone else’s rifle.”

I get that too. We like our own gear.

But, just a heads-up.

Mexican customs is also getting more circumspect as well. If you travel by plane, we all fill out those customs forms. But, of course, we never actually read them!

But, there are restrictions.

And those restrictions have always been there. We just never cared much or they always waved us through.

The faster to get to our hotels and wrap our hands around a tall cold one and get those vacations started.

Some are calling it a “money grab.” But, hey, the law is the law. Rules are rules.

You drive 50 in a 35 mph zone every day and never get busted. Then one day you get pulled over, it’s hard to argue the point

But, Mexico customs has rules like how many CD’s and DVD’s you can bring. How many cameras you’re allowed to have. How much work material you can bring. Blah blah.

And yes, there’s a rules limiting how much sports equipment you can drag into the country.

And that includes fishing gear.

Yup!

The rule is 4 rods and reels per person. And that doesn’t mean you can have one tube with 12 rods for you and your 3 other buddies.

Four outfits for each individual person. Each carrying their own.

But, there’s more to the rub. A bigger ouch.

Many airlines are restricting the fishing outfits to only 2 per person. Two rods. Two reels.

And when you hit the customs inspectors at the airport, there’s a fine for violations. Go to the little room and pay the man.

They’re not checking everyone.

But, they are checking more often.

They’re not being mean. They’re just being more diligent.

And if there’s new gear, they might ask for a receipt showing the value of the item. Yes, there’s a tax on that too.

And it’s no fun getting asked to walk to the little customs room to fill out forms and pay the fine.

So, just be aware before you start packing all your gear. Check your airlines and be forewarned that you might be that one person out’ve 10 in line that gets pulled aside.

Like getting pulled over for speeding while everyone zooms by you. Why me? Just not your lucky day.

Bad way to start your vacation!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.“

Read Full Post »

WITH EACH PAVED ROAD

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, 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, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, 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, hurricane, hurricanes, 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, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on May 13, 2024| 2 Comments »

WITH EACH PAVED ROAD

Originally Published the Week of May 10, 2024 in Western Outdoor Publications

When I first moved down here to Baja, it wasn’t difficult to find some space. The vistas were grand. The beaches were expansive.

The sky was big and the “world” went from horizon to horizon.

There was a rugged tranquility of the desert frontier by the ocean that pervaded every aspect of life. It was inescapable.

You knew you were somewhere sublimely and beautifully alien. You knew you were perhaps in a different portal of time, space and dimension from where you had come from.

There’s a certain anxious edge to knowing that you had to actually “THINK” about your day. Not just how to get to work or your dinner plans, or what you were doing for the weekend, etc.

It was much more primitive.

Do I have enough gas?

Is there gas?

Do I have food?

What will I eat and how will I get it?

Do I have enough water?

How far do I need to travel today from Point A to Point B and back?

Is there electricity today?

Will I be able to cook today and is there enough fuel?

These things had to actually be planned. And any glitch or bump in that road of existence could mean a bad day or at least a really inconvenient day of the worst kind.

Because nothing was really “convenient” per se. But, that was the beauty of it.

You had to actually rely on yourself a lot more.

The only thing convenient was the free clean air and the ocean and Baja desert. All around. All the time.

I could climb a rocky hill stretch out my arms like the famous Jesus statue above Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Looking out over the blue empty ocean and desert and not see a single person!

Far as the eye could see.

In my own mind I could stretch my arms and laughingly tell myself, “I own all this! It’s mine!” And yell to the wind and jump up and down.

Metaphorically speaking, yea…I did own it!

It’s a silly exhilarating feeling. Kinda like the way a kid feels in his first treehouse. ALL MINE!

You want hold onto that feeling.

…and you always want it to be that way.

I would revel in the thought that I hoped to share this with my kids and grandkids someday and others who would appreciate the special place.

A dream. A hope.

And today I’m sitting here in my office overlooking the waterfront and am quickly reminded that the vibe is eroding with increasing velocity.

A BMW just drove by. A Mercedes Convertible as well.

Down the street there’s another chic-chic boutique hotel almost completed that I would never be able to afford a night (not sure I would want to…but that’s not the point).

There are two yachts in the bay that are too large for the local marina. I’m told one is owned by Microsoft people. The other might be the owner of Home Depot and an NFL team.

I will have to take a detour home tonite because they’re digging up and paving a dirt road that went over the hills to a little-known remote beach.

Well, everyone knows about it now because a condo complex is planned for it. There’s big billboards around town.

“Own a piece of secluded paradise. (Emphasis on “secluded.”)

A week doesn’t go by where I don’t run into folks that are house hunting here “to get away from it all.”

If you build it, they will come.

There are farm-to-table organic farm restaurants and wine-tasting rooms popping up next to French, Italian, Asian and Fusion eateries.

I often read the social media boards to check what local gringos are saying and thinking.

Recently, someone posted, “What turns you off about restaurants in Mexico?”

One replied, “Furniture made from wood pallets or plastic chairs with beer logos on them.”

Another wrote, “Lack of Michelin 5-star restaurants.”

And another, “All the waiters that don’t speak English.”

Say what? Ouch!

Harsh.

Personally, with each comment…with each new bit of development in the name of progress…with each dirt road getting it’s first coat of asphalt…

It feels like a little more of O.G. original Baja…original Mexico …erodes away.

Yes, I can still climb that rocky hill and scream this is “All mine.”

But I probably have to do it a lot quieter because there’s a housing development and condos on that hill now.

And step gently so I don’t get busted for trespassing.

Harsh. Wish I had my treehouse back.

That’s my story…

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

CHECK YOUR TOYS!

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, 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, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, 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, hurricane, hurricanes, 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, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on May 6, 2024| Leave a Comment »

CHECK YOUR TOYS!

Originally Published the Week of May 5, 2024 in Western Outdoor Publications

There was a time many many years ago in another time, space and dimension when I would visit Mexico to go fishing, I brought a lot of gear. Maybe you were the same way.

I had the biggest of the biggest rod tubes they sold. It was jammed with so many rods back-to-front and front-to-back.

As many as I could fit.

Trolling rods. Jig sticks. Live bait rods. Light tackle sticks. Flipping sticks. Meat sticks. Maybe a spinning rods or two for good measure.

It was like the old saying, “Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.”

Had to bring ‘em all plus every new rod that “needed to be broken in!”

And of course, that meant I needed a reel to match every rod. All by themselves, they filled a suitcase or an ice chest.

Sound familiar?

I look back on those days and shake my head.

Honestly, at the end of the trip, I might have used 10% of all that. I couldn’t even physically carry that gear now. I wouldn’t want to on my old knees, shoulders and joints.

But those were the days when everyone did that.

We dragged these highly awkward 7 and 8-foot plastic rod tubes in our cars and through the airports. We tried not to smack folks in the head.

Our tackle bags required sherpas and porters to heft.

When we reached our destinations, it took half-a-day to set it all up.

And if your buddies all brought stuff, everyone had to spread their stuff out on the hotel room floor and beds and compare toys!

But, that was another day and time.

Airlines didn’t ding you an arm-and-leg for your luggage. Or hit you up for a small mortgage if things were over-sized or overweight.

Those were also days when “sharp things” weren’t frowned upon or outlawed in the cabin. They did not result in raised eyebrows going through an x-ray machine.

I’ve had friends try to carry on machetes, anchors, hunting knives, crossbows (yes!), spears and gaffs, let alone pocket knives and multi-tools.

But, over the years, that has all diminished quite a bit.

It’s just too hard. It’s too expensive.

The airlines and TSA are understandably too watchful. It’s a pain-in-the-@#$$ to get searched. We all hate just taking off our shoes!

But a number of folks still bring stuff. That’s all well-and-good. There’s another saying about “never going to war with someone else’s rifle.”

I get that too. We like our own gear.

But, just a heads-up.

Mexican customs is also getting more circumspect as well. If you travel by plane, we all fill out those customs forms. But, of course, we never actually read them!

But, there are restrictions.

And those restrictions have always been there. We just never cared much or they always waved us through.

The faster to get to our hotels and wrap our hands around a tall cold one and get those vacations started.

Some are calling it a “money grab.” But, hey, the law is the law. Rules are rules.

You drive 50 in a 35 mph zone every day and never get busted. Then one day you get pulled over, it’s hard to argue the point

But, Mexico customs has rules like how many CD’s and DVD’s you can bring. How many cameras you’re allowed to have. How much work material you can bring. Blah blah.

And yes, there’s a rules limiting how much sports equipment you can drag into the country.

And that includes fishing gear.

Yup!

The rule is 4 rods and reels per person. And that doesn’t mean you can have one tube with 12 rods for you and your 3 other buddies.

Four outfits for each individual person. Each carrying their own.

But, there’s more to the rub. A bigger ouch.

Many airlines are restricting the fishing outfits to only 2 per person. Two rods. Two reels.

And when you hit the customs inspectors at the airport, there’s a fine for violations. Go to the little room and pay the man.

They’re not checking everyone.

But, they are checking more often.

And if there’s new gear, they might ask for a receipt showing the value of the item. Yes, there’s a tax on that too.

And it’s no fun getting asked to walk to the little customs room to fill out forms and pay the fine.

So, just be aware before you start packing all your gear. Check your airlines and be forewarned that you might be that one person out’ve 10 in line that gets pulled aside.

Like getting pulled over for speeding while everyone zooms by you. Why me? Just not your lucky day.

Bad way to start your vacation!

That’s my story…

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

NEVER WOULD I EVER

Posted in Airline flights to Mexico, airlines, aquaculture, 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, CBX Express bridge, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, christmas, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, first aid, 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, hurricane, hurricanes, 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, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican church cathedral, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, mexican road crosses, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, seri indians, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, taco, taco stand, Tailhunter International, techniques, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, water, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, coronavirus in Mexico, deep sea, diving, dog-tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tours, espirito santo island, family, fish, Fishing, fishing report, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing video, fly fishing, fly fishing. Spearfishing, Fubar Cocina Cantina, gray whales, grey whales, guide, holiday, igfa, inshore, jack crevalle, jill roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, los barriles, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, offshore, outfitter, package, panga, pargo, pompano, rooster fish, sailfish, scuba, sea lions, sea of cortez, seabass, sierra, snorkeling, sportfishing, suenos bay, swimming, tailhunter restaurant, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on April 11, 2024| Leave a Comment »

NEVER WOULD I EVER

Originally Published in Western Outdoor Publications the Week of Mar. 8, 2024

I’ve been in La Paz now for some 30 years. For sure, there are more years behind me than in front of me on this adventure.

There’s something to that saying about “God closes windows and opens other doors.” We did OK. We’ve survived a lot of ups and downs and all-things-being-said, it’s been a wonderful blessed ride.

Laughingly, I probably wouldn’t do it again! And, if I did, I sometimes think of all the things I would have done differently.

But, on the other hand, all things today are because of all the experiences that happened in the past. It’s a total culmination.

It turned into another career that I never anticipated.

It turned into several businesses in Mexico that were not on the agenda.

As a confirmed bachelor for over 50 years, I finally found my wonderful life partner in my wife, Jilly.

Funny how things happen when you’re not even looking that hard. And it’s funny how things happen and what you do when you’re hungry!

But, never ever in a million years would I have anticipated that I went from being a suit-and-tie litigation attorney to living in my van those first few years.

I thought I was just taking a year off from the hectic blood-and-dusty coliseum of the courtroom.

Went to work on a remote part of the East Cape as a fishing guide, divemaster and chef.

Well, 8 months into it, that didn’t work out unfortunately and I found myself jobless and homeless and a stranger in a strange land!

My Spanish was limited. I was down to my last 6 dollars. There were no cellphones 30 years ago.

Worst of all, because of what happened at my “supposed” job, I was without a passport and my ex“boss” had never filed my work papers!

Scary to say the least. Talk about the rug being pulled out from under my feet.

No money. Totally illegal.

No way to communicate with anyone. No cellphone back then.

Couldn’t drive back to the U.S. Couldn’t even afford the gas, even if I could legally get across. (And this was before 9/11!).

Imagine me in a beat-up van showing up at the border. A brown guy with with no paperwork!

Oh, and I had Jimmy, my dog too! That would’ve gone over really well with the border inspectors!

There was 900 miles of desert between me and the border.

It might as well have been a million miles! Prospects did not look promising.

I made it up to La Paz and walked into every hotel I could find. I told whatever manager I could find that I could run and set up a fishing or diving operation for them.

Remember, my Spanish was not that great back then and frankly, in my raggedy clothes, looking back, it wasn’t a greaet impression.

I’m sure that had a lot to do with getting turned down.

Plus, how could anyone legally hire me?

I had no work papers. I had no passport. It looked pretty grim.

I did the only thing I knew how to do…and not very well, but it’s all I could do!

I went out on the street and offered to take people fishing.

I was down to my last 2 dollars when someone heard me speaking English and inquired about taking him fishing.

I asked how much money he had.

“I have $60.”

“Sir, that is exactly the price of a day of fishing!”

I called a friend who had a functioning car. He offered to drive the prospective client and myself to the beach and make some burritos for lunch. He called a captain who had a panga and some fishing rods.

All of us were pretty penniless at the time. We agreed to each split the $60. Twenty bucks each sounded like a lottery win at the time!

The guy went fishing and caught a mess of dorado. He even tipped me an extra $10!

Best of all, he wanted to fish 2 more days! Holy cow. BINGO!

And that’s how it all started…

I pretty much lived in my van with my dog on a back street of La Paz. No one really ever knew for several years.

I found some wooden palettes and built a Charlie Brown style lemonade stand and would stand out there on the waterfront every day. I was just hoping to entice someone to let me take them out fishing.

My target was just hoping to get at least one booking per week to survive.

In between bookings, I would search the cracks between the car seats for enough change to buy street tacos to eat and share with Jimmy, the dog. I took showers wherever I could or whoever would let me sometimes crash on a couch.

Sometimes, I would pray and hope the clients would invite me to dinner.

It was a wild hand-to-mouth existence.

We survived. We grew. We’re still here 30 years later. We’ve come a long way.

But, never would I ever have foreseen the journey or the path. And I wouldn’t do it again, but I’m grateful how it all turned out. Life takes some funny turns.

Oh, and I never ever had to put on a suit and tie again either!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

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Jonathan has written for:

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

His articles also appear in:

San Diego Union Newspaper
Los Angeles Times Newspaper
Sacramento Bee
San Francisco Chronicle
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Winter Vacation Dilemmas: Book Ahead or Risk It?

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OVER-THINKING THIS WHOLE THING?

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