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PRESENTATION IS A GAME CHANGER

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, cerralvo island, charters, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, fish, Fishing, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, storms, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, 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 18, 2021| Leave a Comment »

PRESENTATION IS A GAME CHANGER

Originally Published the Week of April 20, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

Presentation is a simple concept explain. How something looks, feels or even acts has a lot to do with how that subject is perceived.

Perfect examples.

Two hamburgers. Same meat. Same cook. They both taste the same.

But, one is served on white table cloth with nice silver. There’s a nice garnished sprig of parsley and the plate is shiny white ceramic.

The other burger comes in a greasy wrapper.

Most folks would be more inclined towards the nicely packaged burger, even though personally, I’d probably grab the one in the greasy wrapper that’s all messy. But, that’s just me.

But, that wrapper registers an impression in my little brain that the one in the greasy wrapper is gonna taste better.

Possibly a better example:

The young man that comes to pick up my daughter for the evening at the movies. For the first time. First date.

Torn jeans…dirty fingernails…way too many piercings and a dragon tattoo up his arm. And honks for her to come out.

Danger! Danger! Not with MY daughter!

Or the young man shows up on time. Calls me “sir.” Holds the door open for my girl and he’s nicely dressed.

In both scenarios, it’s the same kid. If my daughter is going out with him, I’m sure he’s probably a sweet kid and nice guy despite first impressions. Clothes aren’t everything.

I didn’t exactly look like a prize at that age either.

And the dad writing this article has a piercing and several tattoos!

The nicely dressed kid does get bonus points for calling me “Sir.”

But, first impressions are important. There’s no getting around it.

fish bait

Fish are a lot like that too. Presentation is everything.

Some folks think if they have a lure in the water or if they have a bait on a hook in the water, the fish will jump all over it. And they can’t figure out why they’re not getting bit.

Or how come the guy next to them is getting hits left-and-right.

There’s the old saying that, “20% of the fishermen catch 80% of the fish.”

There’s a reason. Much of that has to do with presentation and the impression it makes on the targeted fish.

Imagine that “Mr. Fish” has a whole bunch of choices down there.

Why should he bite you? What makes your bait stand out and gets his brain neurons saying, “Eat! Eat! Eat!”

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Let’s talk about live bait for the moment.

How is it acting? Lively? Lethargic? Plain dead?

Take dorado fore example. Dorado, are like cats. Fast moving lively things put them into attack mode. The livelier the bait the better.

By contrast tuna can be notoriously lazy and love picking up dead bait or barely lively bait. It’s like they don’t wanna chase anything.

That’s why chunk bait is so effective. Just a big mass of dead and dying bait dumped into the drift. One chunk has a hook in it.

Speaking of hooks…How you rig (“pin”) your bait on a hook can have a massive effect.

For one, generally, match your hook to the size of the bait. Don’t match your hook to the size of the fish you’re chasing.

For instance, if using a 6-inch sardine or anchovy, jabbing a 10/0 hook in it is going to kill the bait, even if you’re chasing 100-pound fish. That’s not doing you any favors.

Simple logic.

Likewise, if your line is very heavy, your bait is gonna tire out faster and you’re not even going to know it. Your line is way out there and you have no clue that your poor little bait is half-dead floating where you can’t see it.

And you wonder why your buddy keeps hooking fish!

A lot of anglers also don’t know that you can actually control how your bait swims.

Pinch-off or cut off a bit of tailfin and your bait will swim erratically. Often, this is a great attractant for gamefish who like to grab injured bait that can’t escape.

Darwin’s theory. Culling the herd. It sets your bait out from the rest of the bait in the water.

Try these next time.

If you pin your bait on the bottom-side behind the dorsal fin, you bait will tend to swim directly away from the boat and down.

If you hook your bait on the top-side behind the dorsal fin, your bait will tend to also swim straight out, but will stay on the surface.

If you put the hook through the right collar, the bait will swim to the right. Through the left collar and the fish will swim to the left.

Handy to know for those baits that continually want to swim under the boat or if you’re on a boat and you can’t get around someone or something.

If how “food” looks and acts is important, consider how something “smells” also affects attractiveness just like smelling a steak on the grill.

When I was first learning to fish as a kid, my old Japanese uncle taught me to keep the bait as fresh as possible.

Don’t touch the bait with hands that touched food or something oily. Or suntan lotion.

He was a smoker and never ever touched his bait with the hand holding his cigarette.

If you do have stuff on your hands, wash it off then put some fish slime or dead bait on your hands to cover up the fragrance of soap or other detergent.

Presentation makes a difference. First impressions are a game changer.

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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ON SECOND THOUGHT…

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, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, 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, holidays in mexico, 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, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, missions, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, storms, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, 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 8, 2021| Leave a Comment »

ON SECOND THOUGHT…

Originally Published the Week of April 4, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

Back in the day…state of the art. (Shudder)

There was a time, many decades ago when I worked as a deckhand on sportfishing boats, when there would be an audible groan when someone walked on board with a spinning reel.

If you don’t know, there’s basically two kinds of reels. Everything else is a variation of those two reels.

There’s a “conventional reel” that looks kind of like a barrel-shape on top of the rod.

conventional reel

Then, there’s the “spinning reel” that goes under the rod and looks like…well…a spinning reel. It’s not easy to describe.

A lot of fishermen started out as kids with a spinning rod fishing in lakes and streams. Great reels, no doubt. Easy to learn. Easy to use.

My own first was a black Mitchell Garcia (remember those?) with 4-pound-test line that my dad had attached to a K-Mart fishing rod. (Remember when K-Mart ruled?).

But, as far as many of us saltwater fishermen were concerned, spinning reels should stay in lakes and stream.

In fact, many of us called them “coffee grinders” outwardly or at least under-our-breaths. This was due to the big handle you would “grind” when retrieving line or fighting a fish.

“Coffee grinder” was not a complimentary title. Anglers who brought them out on boats weren’t held in high esteem either.

Justly or unjustly, it marked that person as someone to avoid. You stayed away from them. You fished as far away from them as possible.

You’d just as soon fish next to a guy who picked his nose than a guy with a spinning reel. It was that bad.

There was a good chance that if that fisherman had a coffee-grinder reel, they weren’t very good fishermen. Additionally, the reels themselves had a hard time controlling fish.

The reels often weren’t very good. Poor engineering . Poor components.

Ultimately, they were just overblown and oversized freshwater reels. I’ve seen these reels seize up or break. I’ve seen big fish just blow these reels apart.

A novice fisherman with a reel and equipment that doesn’t do much to control a fish is a bad combination.

9ec1a38b7f73943ec0d57ef2e092888c copy

Chances are they’re gonna tangle you which wastes a lot of time and gear. It will always happen at the worst time. And they won’t know how to untangle things. It’s now YOUR problem.

Additionally, because of the gear and inexperience, they can’t control their fish during the fight . That means, not only are they tangling you, but they have a good chance of cutting your line…especially if your line is taught as you also fight a fish! Adios fish! Seee-yaaaa!!

DANGER! DANGER!!! STAY AWAY FROM ME!!! RUN AWAY!!! GO FISH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BOAT!!!

This was years ago. And all things considered, I knew there had been many improvements. However, old prejudices die hard and old dogs don’t learn new tricks very well.

The only reason I mention it is because over the last few years, I’m seeing more and more of these spinning reels showing up on fishing boats in Baja. With the exception of trolling or the biggest of big fish, they seem to be working well.

The technology has improved.

They are lighter and stronger alloys.

They have better line capacity and are able to hold larger line classes.

They cast as smoothe as silk and even a novice can learn to handle one very easily and quickly. Certainly it’s a lot faster and initially more comfortable than a conventional reel set up.

They also have reversible handles so both left-and-right handed anglers are comfortable and “bait runner” innovations that allow baits to free-swim more naturally than the predecessor reels and more like conventional reels.

First and foremost, the drag systems are so much more improved. They can really put the brakes on some of the biggest and most powerful fish most anglers will encounter. That includes tuna, marlin, giant roosterfish and others.

Frankly, they look like something a starship trooper would would use in a Star Wars movie.

saltwater-spinning

I know a lot of these innovations have actually been around for a bit, but well…like I said…I’m old school. And more spinning reels are catching my eye.

And folks are doing well with them. Even veteran fishermen are finding a spot for them in their arsenal.

Kristina Ainsworth yellowtail tags 3-21

I’m not giving up my conventional gear, but I stopped making fun of anglers with coffee-grinders and looking sideways at them with a wink or raised eyebrow.

Always room to learn at least one new trick, although sometimes I’m a slow learner.

That’s my story…

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

DON’T DO AS I DO

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, holidays in mexico, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, storm, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, tuna, Tuna jackpot, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, 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 4, 2021| Leave a Comment »

DON’T DO AS I DO

Originally Published the Week of March 28, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

Dan Stewart Gerardo rooster 9-20

I’ve done many “how to” articles and magazine columns over the years. So has everyone else.

However, I can’t think if I have ever done an article about things you should NOT do when fishing in Mexico. After 30 years and thousands of clients, I’ve seen a thing or two and maybe I have a little insight for you.

I’m also getting a lot of inquiries from folks who plan to go fishing for the first time in Mexico as well in 2021.

A lot of it might just be common sense and/ or common courtesy.

Here’s some things that I’ve been told by my captains or other employees and friends who are in the tourist industry.

Here you go…

Don’t be afraid to speak Spanish. It’s appreciated.

By the same token, don’t assume that people don’t understand what you’re saying in English. I’ve witnessed some embarrassing moments and have had a few of my own where I said something and thought the other person didn’t understand.

Don’t be afraid to say you don’t know. Believe me, it’s way better than the person who shows up and tells you they know EVERYTHING or they are the BEST at everything.

Blah…blah…blah. My brain shuts down. Words are coming out of your mouth, but all I’m really hearing is Charlie Brown’s teacher. Waaa-waaa-waaah!

Don’t act like you could do it better or you know someone who can do it better. It comes off as condescending. People are doing the best they can. Walk a mile in their shoes before you tell someone they’re doing it wrong.

Don’t be afraid to overtip. Don’t show money then be chintzy.

At minimum wage in Mexico, a person earns maybe $8-10 dollar PER DAY. That’s PER DAY. For an 8-12 hour day.

If you can afford to be on vacation, you definitely make more than that.

He doesn’t need to hear how much you own/ earn/ make. Doesn’t need to see your big wad of cash, then you tip like it’s painful.

And for Pete’s sake…you’re not doing anyone any favors by giving them three of your junk fish (like bonito or mackerel) that you were gonna throw away anyway instead of cash.

The man has to feed his kids and put gas in the boat so be fair.

Don’t overindulge in the party then ruin it for everyone. You’re not the only one on vacation. Respect that other people are also trying to enjoy themselves, including members of your family, friends, etc.

Everyone loves to party, but you getting plastered and causing a scene or throwing up really is a buzz kill for everyone who is with you or is near you.

Don’t be afraid to share. You got extra? Spread it around? Offer.

Got an extra burrito in your box lunch or an extra Coke or beer? Offer. It’s great good-will and, even if gratefully turned down, it shows you’re an OK person.

In fact, purposely bring or buy extra food for your captain and crew!

Here’s one not many folks think about. Don’t lose or break gear.

It happens. We all know it. It’s part of fishing. But, offer to replace it or buy new ones. Gear and tackle are incredibly expensive in Mexico.

Where we are in La Paz, a Rapala is $35 dollars. Good hooks run 50 cents each. It adds up. A small leader spool or fluorocarbon costs $40.

You gave him a $50 tip is great. But wait. You also lost 2 of his $40 lures and bird-nested about 30 dollars worth of line. C’mon man.

While you’re at it. Don’t belittle the man’s boat; his gear or his tackle. Bring your own next time. Most guys I know or work with take a lot of pride in their belongings.

At least the ones I work with. They do a lot with a little and make the best with what they have. Like having someone come to your house or ride in your car then tell you it needs improvement. It’s insulting.

In all honesty, none of the things above apply to 99% of our visitors. God love ya. Most tourists are gems and so much above is common sense and just being decent and courteous.

Frankly, the biggest “DON’T” that I ever talk to people about is not to forget who you are and where you come from.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re American. Don’t forget that. You’re being watched carefully. In many ways, you’re down here “representing.”

For all the good as well as all the bad. Don’t leave a lasting bad impression.

In almost 30 years in Mexico and thousands of friends and clients, I can only think of a handful who crossed the line. Egregiously.

But, I never forgot them! Others probably never forgot either. Not a good memory to leave when you go home.

The best thing you can ever do, no matter where you travel. Don’t ever forget “please,” “thank you,” and your smile.

That’s my story!

signature June '18 two 1

Jonathan

______________

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

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

_____________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website:

www.tailhunter-international.com

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

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

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

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

Read Full Post »

DUST and WAVES

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charity, charters, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, Heat stroke, holidays in mexico, ice chests, 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 culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, midriff islands, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, Tailhunter International, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, 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 March 20, 2021| Leave a Comment »

DUST & WAVES

Originally Published the Week of March 11, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications!

I guess there’s two stories to pass onto you this week in a round-about-kinda-way.

One actually is possibly some useful info about fishing in Baja, which is what this column is normally supposed to be about.

But, let me start with the first story!

As a kid I really only cared about three publications in my life.

Sears

One was the Sears Christmas catalog. If you were a kid, my reasons need no explanation. It was the most dazzling thing to have in your hands. I should have saved a copy or two to show to the grandkids.

Another was MAD. Don’t laugh. If any of you are old enough to remember, MAD Magazine, I think it’s how I learned how to read. It’s where I got my weird bent sense of humor.

It’s where I learned goofy songs and rhymes and things I didn’t even understand in those pre-teen years. And, of course, there was that backpage fold-out that was brilliant.

My mother, a dedicated 2^nd grade teacher for 30+ years would always try to steer me towards good literature…classics…authors…etc. She was usually successful.

Except there was MAD Magazine. I don’t know how she and dad let me get away with that or knowing my allowance money was not being used very wisely.

But, there was one other magazine that I treasured and that DID receive a better nod of approval.

It was Field & Stream.

field-and-stream

Now THAT was a magazine that I would definitely save my allowance to buy. It was everything I ever wanted to know about hunting and fishing and all the places and adventures I would someday have.

It was the Sears Catalog for the outdoors to me.

It was geography and adventures, Daniel Boone and Tom Sawyer all rolled onto the printed pages.

Cover-to-cover and back-and-forth. I would cut out articles and save them in scrap books. If I got caught under the bedsheets at night with a flashlight reading MAD Magazine or the Sears Catalog, they were confiscated.

With Field & Stream, they let me slide. Or dad would take it and read it himself.

Well…of all things…two weeks ago a writer for Field & Stream contacted me for an interview about fishing in Baja! Me? Are you kidding?

That icon of outdoor magazines wanted to know what someone like me thought? Wow! Needless to say, I was thrilled. I’m not sure how the interview went or how it will eventually look in print, but hey, I was happy to do it!

Which leads to the 2^nd story of this column.

The reason they had asked me for the interview…

Apparently, I was part of a series of outfitters being asked how the Covid pandemic had affected us. As well, more importantly, they wanted to know what we thought of the coming year.

The first part was easy.

I think anyone who was in the travel industry or is still in the travel industry and didn’t get pulled down by the pandemic/ quarantine wolves will agree. Last year was devastating. It continues to be so in 2021.

It doesn’t matter if you were/are an outfitter, lodge, charter operation, guide, hotel, travel agent, airlines, cruise lines, taxi driver…If you dealt with any aspect of the travelling public, 2021 was unlike anything we had ever seen or could imagine.

Travel to Mexico? Travel abroad? Travel to another state? Travel to visit your family, kids, parents on the other side of town?

Are you kidding? We couldn’t even leave our houses, either because we couldn’t (lockdown); or were simply afraid to (contagion); or didn’t have the ways or means (no money) to travel.

No one could travel for essential things like work and school. So forget leisure travel like taking vacations or other discretionary trips.

Yea, we got hammered. Punched in the nose. Kicked in the nether regions then dog-piled while we were already on the ground. Many of our friends in the industry lost their jobs or had to find other or supplemental work.

For those of us in the travel industry still treading water, it’s not over yet.

For us in Baja, things really started to take an upswing there at the end of 2020. Americans were really scooting to Baja.

Mexico is close. It was economical. It was easy to there and get home.

Canada was a no-go because of the border closures and quarantines in place.

Going to Europe or Asia take some planning. Pack an overnight bag with shorts and t-shirts and you can fly off to Mexico.

Locally, more hotels and restaurants and other services were opening up. Airlines were having to add more flights to keep up with the demand. For us and other operators in Baja, things were looking up.

Bookings were picking up. People just wanted to get out no matter if there was vaccine or no vaccine. Covid or no covid.

Then, the new CDC rules were implemented in January of 2021. It required that everyone travelling into the U.S., including returning vacationers, have a negative Covid test within 72 hours of flying back to the U.S.

WHAM! BAM! Travel took another knee below-the-belt.

Bookings took a dive. Cancelations jumped up. Airflights got canceled. Folks not wanting to get stuck in Mexico made a mass exodus for home and left on-going vacations.

But, now things are looking up again. Whew!

Vaccines are being implemented. Moreso, Mexico got it’s game together and erected testing facilities at airport, hotels, timeshares and labs to make it cheap and convenient to get the tests. Can’t lose the all-important tourism sector again.

So, people are booking again.

But, will it be a good season?

I think so. The fish were largely left alone last year. Six to 8 months there was literally zero sportfishing traffic on the water.

Even when things opened, it was only a fraction of the usual crowds.

The fish had time to grow. The fish had time to spawn and mate without getting bonked by lures run scattered by boat motors. More importantly, their food source…the critical baitfish weren’t depleted.

I thnk this year of 2020 will be an improvement over last year. But, it still won’t see the normal numbers and the experts are saying we’re really only going to see 30-50% of the normal visitors.

So, bigger fish. Hungrier fish. More fish. More bait.

And maybe just you out there on the water!

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 »

UPDATING COVID TESTING in MEXICO

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, cerralvo island, charters, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, espirito santo, fish, fish farming, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, suitcases, Tailhunter International, testing facilities mexico airport, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, 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 February 27, 2021| Leave a Comment »

UPDATING COVID TESTING IN MEXICO

Originally Published the Week of Feb. 24, 2021 in Western Outdoor Publications

Since the new CDC rules went into effect about a month ago last January, Mexico has been doing it’s best to help international travelers comply.

In case you hadn’t heard, the new CDC rules went into effect January 26^th. It requires all international travelers flying into or back to the United States to show a negative Covid test result that was administered less than 72 hours prior to travel.

This only applies to airline passengers. It does not apply to boats, cars or other means of travel coming into the U.S.

You are not required to quarantine upon returning to the U.S.

You do not have to show a negative Covid test before entering Mexico. You are not required to quarantine once you get to Mexico.

Even if you have been vaccinated or have had Covid, you must still show a negative test or have a medical waiver.

If you fly both in and out of a Mexican Airport like Tijuana, the test is not required. That is a domestic flight and only international flights have the mandate.

With tourism such an essential part of the Mexican and Baja economy, and vital to recovery after Covid lockdowns were eased, there has been a mad dash get-up-to-speed for travelers.

Mexico can ill-afford to deter or impede further travel. So, the aim has been to make it as convenient and economical as possible to obtain the test.

According to the respective tourism boards, all of the hotels and timeshares in Cabo San Lucas have erected facilities or provide testing as a service to their guests. Costs appear to be minimal and many hotels are offering it free so check with your hotel.

As well, there are numerous laboratories now offering the service as well as all local hospitals.

At this time, the following destination airports have facilities:

Aguascalientes

Acapulco

Chuahua

Culiacan

Durango

Guadaljara

Hermosillo

La Paz

Leon

Los Cabos (Cabo San Lucas)

Los Mochis

Mazatlan

Mexicali

Mexico City

Monterrey

Morelia

Puerta Vallarta

San Luis Potosi

Tijuana

Tampico

Torreon

Zacatecas

Ixtapa/Zihuatenejo

Los-Cabos-Airport-Departures-Board-Plane-11

The basic antigen test takes about 15 minutes. Cost varies at the airports about $25-65 dollars and results are provided in about an hour.

Airports are recommending giving yourself extra time to allow for this. It’s first-come-first-served. The airports are also open to walk-in visits from the general public.

Several airlines are also in discussion about erecting their own facilities and also developing apps so test results can be uploaded quickly.

Having spoken to several folks who have returned from Mexico travel, I’m told it’s the test where your nasal passages are swabbed. Intrusive and uncomfortable, but not painful and it’s over quickly.

The persons I spoke to paid $40-65 dollars for the test. Several got the tests prior to leaving. Several got the tests at the airport. Not surprisingly, private labs are more expensive.

Two of the travelers that I spoke to inquired at their respective hotels and said the staff wasn’t sure about the tests. So, they went to an outside lab located not far from the hotel. In both cases, later they found out from management that testing was available.

So, I guess it depends who you ask.

Take note that smaller cities, such as La Paz which have a smaller tourist base and lower hotel occupancy than say, Puerto Vallarta or Cabo San Lucas, do not offer testing at hotels.

As one official mentioned, certain cities just do not have the huge influx of international travelers like other cities. With hotel occupancy only at 10-30% in those smaller cities, it’s not economically feasible to have testing facilities at those hotels.

Nevertheless, it sounds like it’s coming together with little bumps here and there.

Easter Week and Spring Break are just a few months off. These are the biggest travel period of the year in Mexico. Contrary to popular thought, it’s not Thanksgiving or even Christmas.

During Spring Break and Easter, Mexicans visiting relatives in the U.S. or vice versa as well as regular spring vacationers normally flood in and out of Mexico.

Not surprisingly, numbers will probably be somewhat subdued this year compared to other years, but nevertheless, Mexico will have to be ready for the influx. Easter is the first week of April this year.

As we get closer, I have to think things will only get easier, more convenient and more economical.

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.”

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REFRESHING AMBIVALENCE

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, 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, highway, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, rentals, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, Baja Mexico, beaches, billfish, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charter, 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 December 15, 2020| Leave a Comment »

REFRESHING AMBIVALENCE

Originally Published the Week of Dec. 4, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

After all the political, social, health and economic rancor and upheaval this past year in the U.S., I think I’ve reached that point of fatigue.

Along with religion, those are generally just some topics I avoid talking about. It seems especially true down here in Baja where most folks I come in contact with are here for vacations, not debate or argument.

I would think most are trying to get AWAY from all of that back home. The whole point of “vacation”, right?

That being said, a good number of folks still seem anxious to engage in conversation.

Usually, the red lights in my brain start flashing “DANGER! DANGER!”

As quickly as I can, I try to turn the flow of words to something more palatable.

But, some folks are so used to it coming from the U.S. that they still feel the need to bring it up. It’s what everyone talks about “back home.”

Kinda like the A-type personality who runs a million-miles-an-hour at work. Comes down here and it takes awhile for them to decompress and take it down a few notches.

I get it. Unavoidable topics of conversation. Hot topics of conversation. It’s what everyone is talking about.

The problem is, it’s not conversation. It’s not even debate. It’s like that even among my only family members.

If you agree with them, there’s not much else to say. Or the other person will just talk and talk. No real exchange of info.

On the other hand, if you have a DIFFERENT opinion, you’re suddenly the “enemy” or an “idiot.” Conversation turns to argument with no one giving ground.

No info is exchanged. No one learns anything.

No give-and-take. Instead it becomes a mission to verbally batter and bludgeon the other person to back down and accept YOUR point-of-view.

I usually do. Back down, that is.

I used to be a litigation attorney. If I wanted to pull my verbal guns, yea…I guess I could. But, what’s the point? Restraint.

No one really wants to listen to me anyway. If we have the same point of view, then why keep talking?

If we differ, then why piss each other off? I’ll keep my opinions to myself. And keep my friends and family.

This is Baja. Folks are supposed to be on vacation. If you want debate jump on Facebook and say something controversial and, like I said, half will agree with you and the other half will tell you you’re dumber-than-dirt.

In no uncertain terms.

That’s why it was so refreshing to have one of my Mexican friends ask me a few weeks ago, “Who do you think will be your next American President? Biden or Trump?”

Oh no. Here we go again.

I didn’t want to start down that path or open a can of worms with my friend so I asked, “Does it matter to you as a Mexican citizen?”

Instead of the usual hackle going up, he smiled and said, “Nope. I was just making conversation. It seems all Americans have strong opinions about it. Don’t you?”

I shrugged. Again, trying to nip things in the bud.

I asked him disarmingly again, “Do YOU have an opinion?”

And then he said something that put the biggest grin on my face.

He laughingly replied, “I don’t care.”

A pause.

I had to think about that.

Are we allowed to say that anymore? Are we allowed to think that anymore?

Three simple words.

“I don’t care.”

Maybe it’s simply not caring at all. Ambivalence. Fatigue. Resignation. Indifference.

Whatever the reason, you NEVER hear anyone say “I don’t care.”

It’s uh…sacrilegious! It’s uh…blasphemous. It’s Un-American. It’s un-civilized, by gosh!!!

I’m sure everyone cares. I actualy do care.

But there are times when I just don’t care. Or, at that particular moment, I don’t have the energy to care. But, I’m afraid…hesitant… to say that to anyone.

I can’t be the only person who feels like that.

A fishing clients says to me, “What do you think about all that unrest in the police force? Or “How about them closing California again cuz of Covid?”

What would I sound like if I said, “I don’t care.”

Probably like a jerk.

My Mexican friend explained to me.

“Look, it might be different in the big cities than here in Baja. It might be different if I were a big business owner. “

“But, I’m a regular guy like you. Nothing special. I drive a delivery truck.”

“To me, the only reason I asked about your elections is that’s all Americans seem to talk about and that’s what we see on the news on our TV’s about the U.S. But, I don’t think it affects me that much. We got enough problems with our own politicians here in Mexico without worrying about YOUR politicians,” he laughed.

“Mire, hombre…Look, amigo,” he elaborated. “ Us Mexicans, we’ve been ruled by the Spanish, the French, the Germans. We had wars with America. We have endured revolutions and corrupt politicians at every level.”

“We now have this pandemic thing. It’s a big problem. Or, that’s what they tell us it is. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t”

“We Mexicans will endure. We keep going. We hear promises, but nothing really ultimately changes. We move ahead. Everything will pass and we will still be here.”

“Honestly, I am more concerned with my next delivery in my truck and feeding my kids than who will be the next senator for our state or if the government is telling the truth about covid. I care enough to wear my mask. No big deal.”

No big deal.

I think there’s an honest dignity in that. Keep on-keeping on. Stay the course.

Just kinda nice to hear that once-in-awhile.

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 »

SAFE AS IT’s GONNA GET?

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, first aid, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, Heat stroke, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing fish, panga, pargo, passport, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, sportfishing, storm, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, 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 Seaview, tuna, vacation, wahoo, whale sharks, whale watching, women, world records, yellowtail on November 10, 2020| Leave a Comment »

SAFE AS IT’S GONNA GET?

Originally Published the Week of Nov. 3, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications.

The Cabo San Lucas Marina…pretty much business as usual with boat traffic although foot traffic was relatively light.

_________________________

Since the Covid Pandemic hit us last March in Baja, I’ve been been watching things pretty carefully. I have to. Being in the travel-activity industry, it’s pretty mandatory.

In that time, I’ve watched us down here go from pretty much completely “RED” (complete stringent shutdown…harsher than the U.S.)…

….To “ORANGE” (open but with strong mandatory restrictions still in place)..

…..To “YELLOW” (open with a huge easing of restrictions) since September.

Being in the “yellow” has been a huge economic breath for so many of us. Restaurants, hotels and other businesses were allowed up to 50% occupancy. Beaches and recreational areas were opened. Churches, gyms, theaters and other “non-essential” businesses could finally open their doors.

It has not quite been “business as normal” but it’s as close-to-it- as we have seen most of the year. I think most of us down here have gotten used to it and we’re learning to live with it.

So many businesses didn’t survive. The rest of us are just trying to stay afloat as well as possible.

We would surely like to have thing completely open and in the “GREEN” level, but few of us think that’s going to happen anytime soon.

As with most governments around the world, the folks who make the decisions walk the tightrope trying to balance public safety against economic stagnation.

Will we get to normal by 2021? Short of some miracle vaccine or it’s equal, I kinda doubt it. But, bigger brains than mine struggle with those issues.

I will share with you that based on talking to our American clients that have visited us this year, most were surprised about their vacations.

“I think it was safer than being back home in the U.S. It surely was not any more dangerous” seemed to be the general consensus.

As one of my fishermen told me who visited us twice this year, “I think there are so many safety protocols in place from the time I hit the airport; to the time I reach my hotel . . .hen while I’m in Mexico . . .hat I feel perfectly safe. The tourist areas seem especially antiseptic with everyone very conscious about sanitation.”

He’s already booked for next year.

In fact, judging from reservations for 2021, it looks like a good year. Covid or no Covid.

Airlines are flying again. In fact, several airlines have added or are in the process of adding more flights to Baja.

I know that for us in La Paz, for the first time in almost a decade, there will be direct flights from the U.S. starting in December.

I am also reading that some of the airlines are putting back that middle seat or from several flights that I have taken this year, there’s no more social distancing on the flights. They’ve been packed. Sold out.

So, the airlines must be banking on the uptake in tourism to Baja.

I think as an alternative destination, travelers will find Mexico overall a lot more attractive than Europe, Asia or other places which are experiencing another surge in Covid. And many aren’t too keen to welcome Americans right now anyway.

Pragmatically speaking, if there is a shutdown again, it’s a lot easier to get home from Baja than it is fromEngland or Italy, right?

My wife and I were supposed to be on a 3-week lifetime trip to South Africa right now. In hindsight, South Africa would not have been a good place to be stuck.

Even if you’re not flying, it’s not so hard to drive either.

OK, I know there’s this “travel ban” on the border that has been in place for most of the year. The governments of both Mexico and the U.S. have given no indication when (or if) it’s going to be removed.

But, there’s several things to keep in mind.

First, it does NOT apply to entering Mexico by flying, rail or water.

Secondly, for all practical purposes, it seems to be more of a “suggestion” than an actual mandate. I know plenty of folks who have driven right through the border without issue. Some have driven several times. Some do it on a regular basis.

In fact, that’s one of the complaints that has become devisive among the Mexican folks along the borders.

Many decry the apparent “freeflow” of traffic from the U.S. Keeping in mind the high Covid rates among Americans.

But, there’s a huge contingency that wants and needs those tourism and business dollars that also flow into the country from Americans.

So, it really just is-what-it-is. That’s the bottom line.

Mostly what I’m hearing from folks booking reservations next year is that Covid or no Covid, they’re coming. Vaccine or no vaccine they’re coming.

For better or worse. Most think it can’t be any worse than it is and frankly a lot of folks are just tired of having been kept home this last year. Just my two centavos.

Vamos a ver…we’ll just have to see.

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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THINGS I WOULD HAVE TOLD MYSELF

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito santo, fish, 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, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, packages, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, 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 November 1, 2020| Leave a Comment »

On the beach in 1996. I had no idea this would turn into a new career.

Originally Published the Week of Oct. 27, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

Almost 3 decades down here in Baja now. I’m not sure I’m “older and wiser” now. Definitely older.

But I was thinking of things I would have (should have?) told my younger-self back then when I first moved down here that would have made things so much more enlightening and surely easier.

For one, coming from the life of a litigation attorney to a remote part of Baja, I would have told myself to SLOW-THE-HECK-DOWN! It took a long time to get off the clock.

It took a long time to realize that just because I was running fast, no one was going to run faster to keep up with me and what I wanted or needed. I would have to adjust and take it down a few notches.

Actually I had to take it way way way down!

Related to that first thing…not that I had a lot of money…but money doesn’t necessarily make things go faster either. Things will happen when they happen.

I definitely would have told myself not to be so gullible.

“Si” (Yes) does not always mean “yes.” “No” doesn’t always mean “no.”

Folks aren’t necessarily lying to you. It means what it means at the time it is said. It is ALWAYS subject to “re-interpretation” later by the person who said that to me in the first place.

So, flexibility, patience and adaptability are good to keep close-at-hand.

Again, not that I had a lot of money. But, I would have told myself there is no such thing as a loan.

The person may ask for a “loan.” But, honestly, they really probably needed the money more than I did. They may call it a “loan.” They may promise to pay it back.

But, in 25 years, I have only had one person ever pay me back. And it was 4 years later!

A “loan” is really a “gift.” Don’t loan money or anything else you can’t afford to lose.

I would tell myself never drive off without these things in the car:

Jumper cables
Duct tape and electrical tape
20 bucks in small bills or pesos hidden somewhere in the car for an emergency
A spare tire
Toilet paper and a shovel

I would have also told myself not to have been so terrified the first time I drove down the Baja Peninsula. I had read too many stories. Now that I’ve driven it dozens of times, it’s a wonderful drive that only gets better.

To, my list of things, I would have mentioned, that truly “less is more.”

I brought down way too much stuff that 3 decades later, I am still burdened with. Did I really need over 100 rods and reels? Did I really need 200 pounds of tackle? Did I really need two trailers full of other odds-and-ends?

Along those same lines, I would have told myself that it’s possible to get by with very little and on very little. I would learn to adapt. I sure learned now to stretch a peso!

I would learn to fix things. I would learn that it’s easier to fix something or make do than to run around all day trying to find a replacement. Or maybe, I was just too lazy.

I would have smacked myself and told my younger-self to not be so nervous about eating local food. Oh sure, everyone loves tacos. But, real Mexican food is NOT like in the U.S. Eat what everyone eats. Eat where everyone eats.

I would have advised myself that getting excited about “living off the grid” is not “living off the grid” like the reality-show people on TV. Real reality is completely different.

I would wake up in the morning with food the first thing on my mind. Not because I wanted to eat. It was because I would have to figure out HOW to get food each day. Catch it? Trade for it? Find it? Pull it from the ground or ocean?

No grocery stores. No restaurants where I lived.

Living off the grid required some serious thought. There’s no safety net.

Digging a well just to have drinking water. Hooking up marine batteries to make one light bulb work.

Treating ice like gold because that was the only way to keep my food. No frig. Only an ice chest in 100-degree heat.

Hoping to catch a fish for dinner because that’s all there was. Hoping some desert critter didn’t eat my tomato plant required critical thinking and planning.

I had never imagined those things when I moved down.

I would tell myself that there is nothing you cannot trade for. When money is scarce, barter works just as well. Trade tomatoes for meat. Fish for writing paper. Cigarettes for beer. Old t-shirts for tortillas.

I would have told myself that I would meet some of the best friends in my life and come to appreciate and love a people and culture like no other.

I would never have figured that I’d also meet my awesome wife and two great kids. That was not part of the plan. (Not sure I would have told myself that…maybe romance is best left as a surprise!)

Mostly, I think I would have told myself that it was going to be the adventure of a lifetime. It was going to be an incredible experience. It was going to be the best thing I had ever done and something most people would never experience.

I would have reminded myself that it’s better to try something than have regrets later on.

Lastly, I would have told myself there was no language barrier that a smile could not overcome.

I would have told myself that everything was going to be just fine .

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.”

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SMALL CO-INCIDENCES…LITTLE BLESSINGS

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo island, charters, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, crankbait, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexico, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, midriff islands, outfitters, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tiburon island, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, 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 October 26, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Originally Published the Week of Oct. 20, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

_____________________

It’s been a helluva year, hasn’t it?

Definitely one for the books and a year none of us will ever forget. It’s been unlike any year in history if you think about it. Surely, in our lifetimes.

…and it’s not over yet.

…and it’s not going to change automatically just because the calendar flips to 2021 in two months. Or because the crazy election is over in November.

We simply don’t know. Maybe it will get worse. Quien sabe? Who knows?

I was thinking about that the other day. It could get worse? Really?

For ourselves, how many more punches to the nose can we take and still remain standing?

And while I was sitting there sinking into “bluesville” and edging into feeling sorry for myself…

My wife, Jilly nudged me as she often does and interrupted my thoughts. She’s always looking at her cellphone.

“Hey, look at this photo of the grandkids! Pretty cute aren’t they?”

A cellphone with two grinning little ones was shoved into my face.

…and I laughed.

Yea. They are pretty cute at that.

“Remember that last time when we had them over for that barbecue? We had the huge blow-up pool from Walmart all set up and we all jumped in and splashed around with them?”

Actually, I do. And it was a lot of fun. Silly fun with silly grandkids and sillier adults.

And it made me smile.

Maybe it was more than just serendipitous co-incidence that she had nudged me.

Divine intervention?

A poke from the galactic powers of the universe to sit up and take notice and stop whining?

There really were a lot of reasons to smile.

In the middle of all the insanity, there were and are many blessings.

In fact, at the time this happened, my toes were buried in warm sand.

On a beach. At the ocean… in the sunshine… under a palapa with a plate of shrimp and a cold beer.

How terrible is that?

Only reason for that was business was slow. Like all businesses. Bummer. Had a few hours to kill.

We live about 30 yards from the water’s edge. Gosh…we run a fishing operation in Baja where I daily have to push boats into the water by hand up to my waist in the waves.

Our restaurant is on the waterfront steps from the bay.

And I realized this was the first time in more than five years that I had actually taken time with my wife to sit on the beach.

Because business was slow.

But, here I was. Able to sit and enjoy and put my toes in the sand and jump into the water…not for work. Just for the heck of it.

We had snuck away from work for just a few precious hours.

And then all the other stolen moments…that we never get to do normally.

Dinner out with clients.

Taking time to smoke a cigar and have a beer with friends.

Time with the kids and watching the grandkids grow up.

Watch a movie on TV from beginning-to-end without having to watch it in 30-minute increments over a week.

All the home dinners where Jill and I got to play in the kitchen and actually have real conversations.

Occasional naps.

I actually finished a book or two.

I had time to do some gardening and construction projects

Take a walk.

All the little unusual blessings in the maelstrom of a turbulent year.

I NEVER do these things. I never have time to do these things running our businesses.

Forced “time out.”

And, all those other things?

Ultimately, they were just “inconveniences.” Most things we don’t like in life are just that…inconveniences.

There aren’t that many things in life that are “critical” if you have your health and family.

This just happened to be a year of more than incredible “inconveniences.”

We all had our health.

Wearing masks…inconvenience.

Social distancing…(sigh)…inconvenience.

No restaurants…movies…parks…sports…inconvenience.

No more than 2 persons in a car…inconvenience.

Re-runs on Netflix and Roku…inconvenience.

Getting completely sanitized before they let you into any building…inconvenience.

Standing in line at 4 a.m. for groceries and toilet paper…BIG STUPID INCONVENIENCE.

Waiting 40-deep at markets for beer here in Baja when they shut down the breweries (non-essential business)…MAYBE THE BIGGEST STUPIDEST INCONVENIENCE OF ALL!

But we endured. And we endure s’more.

Many many many folks here in Baja and everywhere in the world have it so much worse than us. It’s beyond critical. It’s tragic.

There’s a zillion conflicts and turmoils swirling everywhere.

But right now. Right then… Next to my wife on a sunny beach in Mexico is a blessing.

Will have to clean up and get back to work in an hour or so.

But, I gotta remember to savor these little moments. Little co-incidences. Little blessings. Little miracles.

Please pass me another beer.

And thank you, Lord. Thank you galactic powers of the universe.

For small blessings and little miracles. And co-incidences.

And the occasional poke in the side.

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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WHERE CAN I FIND “REAL” MEXICAN FOOD?

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Coronavirus Baja Mexico, deep sea, dorado, east cape, ecotourism, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, mexican food, mexican food stands, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico coronavirus Baja, Mexico economy, Mexico life, midriff islands, outfitters, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, pompano, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, speaking spanish, spearfishing, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, weather, Western Outdoor News, 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, 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 October 2, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Originally Published the Week of Oct. 3, 2020 in Western Outdoor Publications

I think I was just asked about the 5^th time this week by visitors some version of “Where can we get real-authentic Mexican food?”

Good question. But, I have a hard time understanding how to respond.

I have to usually pause a minute before answering.

“What do you mean by ‘real authentic Mexican food?” I ask.

“You know, the usual food, but we figure that since we’re here visiting in Mexico, we can get the REAL stuff!” they’ll say anxiously.

Well, that doesn’t help me much.

It would be like me visiting someplace like New York and asking, “Where can I get real ‘New York’ food!

Throw a question like that into a bunch of my New Yorker friendsd and you’ll end up with as many different answers, arguments and debates as there are people in the crowd.

Mexico is probably a lot like New York gastronomically speaking. Visitors come down with a certain culinary expectation. And that could have been formed by eating at too many Taco Bells; neighborhood chain restaurants; or local neighborhood eateries.

Mexican food is as varied as the areas of the U.S.

Northern Mexico near the border has it’s regional specialties. Areas on Mexico’s East Coast have food far different from areas of Mexico’s Pacific coast or regions. Central and southern Mexico have their own specialties as well.

Even within those geographical vicinities, there are variables. For instance, urban food will be different from rural areas. Mountainous areas likewise have different food preparations than areas on the lower elevations.

So, when someone asks me where to go for real authentic Mexican food, it’s a tough answer. In our area, I tell them if they’re looking for the kind of food they’re used to back home in the U.S., they probably won’t find it.

They are usually somewhat disappointed, but I tell them hit the streets. Go eat at local eateries. Not tourist spots. Eat at street carts and small vendors. Eat at places that you see a lot of locals eating and they can’t go wrong.

Invariably, they end up loving their new discoveries.

Actually, instead of telling people what “real Mexican food” is, it’s often easier to tell them what is NOT real Mexican food. It surprises many visitors.

For instance, if you’re looking for “pre-formed” taco shells like you find at fast food places back home, you’ll be disappointed. Most tacos are served in soft hot tortillas you fold-around the hot filling.

The closest thing to a pre-formed taco might be “tacos dorados.” Not named after the fish. It just refers to a deep-fried taco that is fried until “dorado” (golden).

You will not find ground beef in your Mexican food.

You will not find sour cream in your Mexican food.

To the surprise of many, you won’t find shredded cheese in your Mexican food or even any cheese at all. Mexicans DO like hot melted cheese called “queso fundido” served as an appetizer very much like fondue.

By the way, Nachos were an American invention! Hard to have nachos if there’s no cheese around. Forget finding black olives too!

Fajitas? Nope. That hot skillet full of sizzling veggies and meat is a gringo concoction too!

Chili? You’ll get a blank stare.

I once threw a party for a bunch of my friends many many years ago when I first arrived here in La Paz. One of the items was “chili dogs.”

Who doesn’t like chili dogs?

Mexicans love their “hates.” (hotties). But every single person at that party wiped the chili off their hot dogs then put them back in the bun. I was mortified!

It was like watching someone pulling all the toppings off pizza and only eating the crust. Are you kidding me?

Chili’s origin is not Mexico. It’s the U.S border areas and started as a stew you tossed meat, beans and spices into.

Who does not love those deep-fried chimichanga burritos? We grew up on them at little league games; Tastee Freeze; and Mexican chain restaurants.

Well, that was an accident that happened at a gringo restaurant when the owner accidentally dropped a burrito into hot oil. It was so good, he kept it on the menu and its popularity grew.

Speaking of burritos…guess what? They didn’t origiate in Mexico either. You WILL find burritos in Mexican cities (mostly in street restaurants or tourist areas), but historically, they had their genesis in California only about 60 years ago.

And the fillings?

You’ll get shredded meats, grilled chunks of meat, but nothing that resembles what you’re used to. Again, no ground beef. Most of our Mexican friends use ground beef to make…hamburgers…an unquestionable gringo concoction.

Two other little tidbits of non-Mexican origin:

Ask for a lime in your beer, and you’ve just labeled yourself as a tourist. Locals don’t put a slice a lime in their beer.

The lime thing was something you squirted on the lip of your beer bottle or rubbed on the rim of your glass to keep flies away.

Picked up by certain beer companies…the idea took wings.

Finally, what’s more synonymous with Mexico than a margarita? Lots of places will lay claim to it’s invention, but most historians will point to it’s inception in California. And interestingly, most locals I know don’t drink them. They don’t even drink tequila.

We have had a restaurant in La Paz for over 12 years. Most will prefer rum drinks or whiskey shots over tequila drinks. They think gringos are crazy for drinking tequila!

By the way, that bottle of Tapatio hot sauce you’ll find everywhere? Check the label. It’s made in Southern California in Los Angeles!

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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¡Bienvenidos Amigos!
Jonathan has written for:

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

His articles also appear in:

San Diego Union Newspaper
Los Angeles Times Newspaper
Sacramento Bee
San Francisco Chronicle
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THINGS I WOULD HAVE TOLD MYSELF

SMALL CO-INCIDENCES…LITTLE BLESSINGS

WHERE CAN I FIND “REAL” MEXICAN FOOD?

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