That's My Story

PHOTO 1: Not a reflection on the fisihing in La Paz. This is in between blizzards in Wyoming. With much of the country in the middle of horrendous weather, we had our own adventures driving from the ISE Show in Denver to the Portland Sports show. When it’s 20 degrees below zero, it’s not a time to be driving! Details below.

PHOTO 2: Well, this is definitely from La Paz…Muertos Bay to be exact! Looks like the yellowtail have show up early! We started getting a few several weeks ago, but this past week, bigger forkies really jumped into the ring and onto the hooks. More details below!

BIG YELLOW TAIL ROLL IN FOR ANGLERS EARLY CLOSE TO SHORE AND HUNGRY!

La Paz – Las Arenas Fishing Report for Feb. 3, 2008

THE FISHING REPORT

Normally, we don’t see the yellowtail quite this early, but long ago, I’ve tried to figure out the fishing around here. After all these years here, the best I can do is only come up with “generalities.” And “generally speaking” the yellowtail really don’t start chewing until March or April. I just hope they stay around!

Some of the big fork tails started popping up north or town around Espiritu Santo Island and I’d have bet that’s where they were going to blow up. It must have woken up their cousins around Muertos Bay/ Las Arenas because this past week, the yellowtail off Punta Perrico came on strong…like gangbusters!

These were nice fish too. Some punkers like 10 pounders, but 20, 30 and even some 40 pound fish were taken and many more were lost too! The problem is that these fish are all in the channels and rocks close to the point. That means fishing less than 100 yards off the point and often in water less than 50 feet deep. Trying to turn a fish from heading back to cover is often easier said than done!

In addition to the yellowtail, there are sierra, bonito, skipjack, and cabrila as well. A few pargo were hitting, but none of the big reds were landed. We’ll keep you posted! This is a weird year. Two weeks ago we had tuna in the counts so everything it all flipped out!

CABIN FEVER CLASSIC

Spots are still available for our 8th annual Cabin Fever Classic. The dates are April 5-9 with 3 days of fishing and being hosted at La Concha Beach Resort. This is our annual unofficial kick off for the sesason and as per the billing…it’s the antidote for “Cabin Fever.” We never actually promise anyone will catch fish…but we always do. It’s a hoot. Many of our regular come back year after year. We get some sunshine, wet some lines and eat some tacos. Last year we caught 17 different species of fish! That included yellowtail, ambjerjack, roosterfish and pargo! Price is $750 per person double occupancy. $100 bucks holds your spot. Give us a shout if you’d like to join in!

ROAD TRIP ADVENTURES!

We left our 3rd outdoor show of the year in Denver a little over a week ago having completed shows in San Mateo and Sacramento. Having a great time meeting everyone and getting to see all our friends.

But…what a trip! The U.S. is having some of the worst weather remembered and we’ve been driving through the stuff from show to show. After leaving Denver, there’s a stretch along Wyoming where we really got hammered. Never seen so many overturned big rigs and cars. There were blizzards and complete white-out conditions where absolutely nothing could be seen because so much snow was falling.

Last Tuesday we were driving in the dark and hit a patch of black ice at 50 mph and went spinning down the freeway, up and over an embankment then down a 100 foot slope. Thankfully, we didn’t flip or go over a cliff. Luckily, we landed in a big pile of snow! However, in 20 degrees below zero and 60 mph winds and snow, it took the tow truck 2 hours to find us! Quite an adventure.

After that, we got stuck in Boise, Idaho for 3 days because the roads were closed becaues of snow, ice and avalance warnings.

Anyway…Hey PORTLAND! It’s raining, but at least it’s not snowing. We’ll be in Portland this week at the O’Laughlin Northwest Sportsman’s Show at the Portland Expo Center from Wednesday to Sunday. (Feb. 6-10). Come out and see us!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website: www.tailhunter-international.com

Phone: (626) 333-3355FAX: (626) 333-0115

E-Mail: Riplipboy@aol.com

U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Dr., Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745

Mexico Office: , 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Cal Sur, Mexico

“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.”

PHOTO 1: Alot of inshore fishing right now which is pretty typical of winter here in La Paz. Marty Johnson of Atascadero CA is an avid light tackle and inshore angler. Here he’s holding up a cabrilla (seabass) taken just off the rocks near Las Arenas which is where we’re doing the majority of our fishing these days since it’s protected from the north winds and can keep close to shore. Cabrilla are abundant and will take live bait but are a blast on plastics or slow trolled or casted plugs or crankbaits (just like freshwater bass) except their teeth can make short work of the plastics or paint finishes. Cabrilla will get up to the 10 pound class or more.

PHOTO 2 : It seems a bit early in the season, but no one is arguing. Pargo have move into the shallows. Pete here is holding up a pargo liso (mullet snapper) taken off Muertos Bay in the rocks. These are great eating fish. There aren’t alot of them yet, but as the weeks go by more of these fish…especially the larger sluggers…will move into the rocky areas to frustrate anglers and shred tackle.

CLOUDY SKIES WITH WIND AND EVEN A TAD OF RAIN MARK THE WEEK OF FISHING ALTHOUGH THE FEW ANGLERS IN TOWN GOT SOME EARLY YELLOWTAIL ON THE HIGH SPOTS PLUS PARGO SIERRA AND CABRILLA

La Paz / Las Arenas Fishing Report for January 27, 2008

There weren’t that many anglers this week, but that’s typical of January off-season fishing. However, everyone who did fish put fish in the box. We scouted that tuna bite that popped up last last week and surprised everyone at Muertos Bay, but the tuna either hunkered down or just popped in to shake things up and then moved off. It’s hard to really know when we’re not on the water everyday. Unlike the regular season when we’ve got the whole fleet out daily and can track fish better, during the winter when you’ve only got a handful of boats PER WEEK, it’s hard to know exactly what’s out there or where they move. That’s the reality of winter fishing.

Still, the inshore fishing for sierra, cabrilla and other rockies is just fine. Pargo are there although the big schools aren’t up on the shallows yet from what we can see. They might be starting at the island, but with the northern winds, it’s a bumpy wet ride that even the commercial guys don’t really want to do. But, anglers are hooking a few. Notice I say “hooking.” Catching and putting these growlers in the boat is the hard part as they take you to the rocks more often than not.

The fish we’re watching right now are the yellowtail. Any time now, the forktails should be up and prowling. We got a few this week, but again, it’s hard to know when no one has boats out every single day to get a real handle on things. The tails we did get were in the 20-30 pound class, but we lost a few more as well. Winter fishing is definitely NOT lazy man’s fishing. You can’t put your feet up and giggle around. If you don’t have your “A” game with you, chances are the fish right now will eat your bait, your lunch and serve it back as humble pie. You’re ON their turf and that means rocks, caves and reefs all ready to shred you and your good intentions. Short stout rods are the ticket as well as a good dose of humor.

ROAD TOUR 2008

As you read this, we’re just finishing up our third show of the season here in Denver at the Convention Center downtown. It’s been a massive show and packed almost every day. Great to see so many old amigos and clients! That’s the fun part. Denver is always a kick.

The hard part is the travel. We left the Sacramento ISE show Sunday night in a mad rush to beat the snowstorm starting up in the Sierras over Donner Pass. Most of the vendors tried the same thing. We didn’t all quite make it. Snow and ice hit us and that meant going to chains which are no fun putting on or taking off in a big cargo van in the muck, ice and wet while in the dark and cars are going by splashing you and somewhere in the back of the van your jacket and gloves are buried.

The drive from Sacramento to Reno is normally about 2 hours and took 5 instead. A long night in Reno then headed out through Salt Lake City then the colds of Wyoming where we hit temperatures down to 20 below zero. Talk about cold!!! It’s pretty interesting when it’s that cold. Aside from being hazardous to drive, it takes about 10 seconds for a warm beer to get icy cold. If you spit, its freezes as soon as it hits the ground. Your breath comes out in big puffs, but the moisture soon freezes and you can see your breath fall. Just fun goofy stuff.

As you read this, we’re headed back through the snow on the way to Portland now. Another storm is here so it’s hairy driving, but we’ll see you all in Portland in two weeks. The show is at the Portland Expo Center Feb. 6-10. It’s a great show there so come on out to see us if you can.

BOOKINGS COMING IN STRONG!

Our bookings for 2008 are coming in strong as a result of all these shows. If you are planning to see us this year, give us a shout so we can be sure to take care of you. Especially if you’re bringing a group, prime dates and my captains are getting reserved and we want to be sure you’re covered. Last year we sold out most of our prime dates months in advance and had a waiting list so give us a shout.

CABIN FEVER CLASSIC

Speaking of bookings, our 8th Annual Cabin Fever Classic still has spots! It’s the unofficial start of the season and we’ve set April 5-9 with three days of fishing as the plan. We’ll be hosting it at La Concha Beach Resort and this always promises to be a great time. It’s NOT a competition. It’s a chance to climb outta your snowy cabins and get some sunshine and wet some lines along with some great folks and have some fun. Last year, we caught 17 different species of fish including pargo, yellowtail, cabrilla, sierra and roosters. Every year is different. Give us a shout. Cost is $750 per person double occupancy!

MY BLOGS

As many of you know, I will no longer be doing regular posts in Western Outdoor News. My column has been cut back. Thanks for all your support over the last few years. I get weekly e-mails from many of you telling me you’re enjoying it and it’s been gratfying. However, the paper has decided to move in a different direction so my posts won’t be as regular.

Have a great week!

That’s my story

Jonathan

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website: http://www.tailhunter-international.com/

Phone: (626) 333-3355

FAX: (626) 333-0115

E-Mail: Riplipboy@aol.com

U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Dr., Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745

Mexico Office: , 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Cal Sur, Mexico

“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.”

LITTLE THINGS GREAT

Originally Published in Western Outdoor News the Week of January 22, 2008

In our everyday hubbub of life we met and run into all kinds of people. The mailman. The bank teller. The guy who walks the dog by your house everday at 10 in the morning. You can tell the time of day by them.

You smile. You say howdy. Perhaps you exchange some pleasantries. We call them “friends,” but actually more like good acquaintances. They’re part of the fabric of of your life. You know they are always there right as rain. You almost don’t pay attention to them or give them more than the few moments of thought when you chat with them or pass them by during the day.

But then one day one of them is gone. And you feel it. There’s a “disturbance in the force “ as they said in the Star Wars movie. Something’s not right with the universal fabric.

Arturo was a Mexican “taxista” … a cab driver. Like thousands of other guys lining the Mexican roads, airports and hotels in their garishly painted vehicles.

That is all he has ever been. In his early 60’s, I’ve known him for over a decade. Rain or shine, he was always parked in that old yellow and orange Ford Torino station wagon taxi out front of the hotel. Calling it a “jalopy” would be kind. But he was as proud of it as any vaquero would be of his cow pony.

A more pleasant man you could not find. Small of stature, with shiny dark eyes and peppered mustache, he would polish that station wagon between fares until it gleamed. Quick to smile and easy to laugh, he’d hustle to open the door for a client or pick up suitcases that seemed to outweigh him.

He always made a point to shake his client’s hands…with both of his. I would hear from some of his passengers who would tell me about his wild rides. It wasn’t that he drove too fast, it was that his car often went too slow! It topped at 45 and almost had to be pushed up steep grades. With a bad suspension and mis-aligned tires, that old Torino Taxi wiggled, wobbled and veered it’s way from destination to destination.

Clients never forgot. Nor did he. If he saw an old client at the hotel, he could remember their favorite restaurant; how many kids they were towing; and sometimes where they were from.

He always dreamed of visiting the United States, but never got around to it. “Algun dia” (someday) he would say smilingly. Right now, I am tan occupado (too busy!) Even when he hadn’t had a fare in hours. He’d go back to polishing his car ready for the next fare to hail him down.

He was a father and grandfather.

During our last chat after Christmas, he and I were laughing that the Mexican minimum wage had been INCREASED to a whopping $4.87 cents. Not per hour. That’s cada dia (PER DAY!)

He said that was good and asked about minimum wage was in the U.S. I embarrassingly told him that it was about 8 dollars cada hora (per hour)! I thought he’d jump on Americans or make a comment about us having too much money. Instead he said, “That is good that America takes care of it’s people. Things are expensive in America so they need to earn more. Mexico should take better care of it’s people too.” And he went back to lovingly polish his car.

We would have chatted more, but he got hailed and someone wanted to go into town. He excitedly said, “Adios, Jonathan, mas tarde” and lightly stepped around the taxi to open the door for the young couple. Shaking their hands as if meeting new friends and greeting them to his home.

“We want to go shopping downtown, please,” they said, as they slid into the backseat.

“Claro que si, amigos!” He lightly bowed and stepped across the front of the car and into the drivers seat. Happy to have his first fare of the day that would net him perhaps 8 dollars and a tip, he waved and winked as he drove by me on the way to town bouncing down the cobblestone driveway. That was our last.

Arturo had a heart attack several days ago and passed away. His funeral yesterday was attended by half the taxi drivers in La Paz.

I was looking through some paperwork and came across an envelope addressed to him. It was a Christmas card I was supposed to give to him before the holidays. But we just kept missing each other.

Once the holidays passed, it’s not the same giving someone a Christmas card. So, I stopped trying.

They say if you can’t do great things, do a lot of little things great. Maybe the planet would be a better place if we all stopped trying to hit home runs in our lives and just took care of our own little space on the planet making it better for others.

That was Arturo the taxi driver. There are so many people in Mexico we come across that do a lot of little things great. We barely notice them because they are good at their jobs. Waiters. Bellmen. Deckhands. Room cleaners. There’s a long list. But despite stereotypes, they take a lot of pride in their work.

The Christmas card was simple. It said, “Peace.” I wish I had made more of an effort to give it to him.

That’s my story. If you ever want to reach me, my e-mail is riplipboy@aol.com.

La Paz/ Las Arenas Fishing Report for Jan. 20, 2007

Everyone was bundled up this week, except the tourists. Temperatures dropped and it got awfully cold and windy, and it seemed like the snowbirds were about the only ones walking around in shorts.

We still got some folks out on the water although most of the fishing continues to be out of Muertos Bay where sierra, bonito and cabrilla (seabass) garnered most of the action. Roosterfish were seen, but not hooked. Some pargo were hooked, but not caught! (Big difference…but if you know pargo…you know that getting them outta the rocks intact is one of the most frustrating things you can attempt!)

I guess the good news was that we did get a few yellowtail north of town, so we’ll have to keep an eye on that. The problem is getting out there with north winds blowing in your face. It makes for a long wet ride to the fishing grounds. The fish bit deep on yo-yo iron but if we can get some caballitos for bait, I think they might come up big time. We’ll keep you posted!

But wait!!! Just as I was writing this report…Hey! I thought it was WINTER! YELLOWFIN TUNA just showed up in Muertos Bay! Stop the presses. They are NOT supposed to be in Muertos Bay. They are not even supposed to be here at all this time of year. It’s WINTER. However, a couple of our boats just got back in while I was writing this and got 10 football yellowfin and a big yellowtail too! I’ll have to follow up on this over the next few days to see if this is a fluke or what! Whooo-hooooo!!!!

CABIN FEVER CLASSIC FILLING UP

Our 8th Annual Cabin Fever Classic is set for April 5-9 at La Concha Beach Resort. We got quite a few signups this past week for the limited spaces. Three days of fishing plus your hotel for $750 per person double occupancy. We have alot of fun a this. We don’t even promise fish! But we always catch a bunch…I just don’t know what! Last year we caught over 17 species and it was a blast. The whole point is to get out of our cold winter cabins and shake ourselves off with a little sun, tacos, beer and getting some line wet with good friends. If you’re interested, send us an e-mail ASAP! We’d love to have you join!

TAILHUNTER ROAD SHOW 2008

We’ve wrapped up our second show of the year having finished our fishing shows at San Mateo and then this week at the Sacramento ISE show at the Cal Expo Center. Next stop is a long drive through the cold of the Sierras then Wyoming and finally the Denver Convention Center for the Denver ISE Show Jan. 24 to 27 (Wed. to Sunday).

To everyone we’ve met and all our good friends who stopped by our booth, it was great to see you and we look forward to seeing you all again in La Paz. Thanks also for all of you who brought us food! Wow…In-N-Out Double Double Cheese burgers (animal style); Chinese dim-sum; sashime; sushi; pastries; fruit; gourmet iced-tea….you’re the best! Thanks!

To all our others amigo…sorry we missed ya!…, just a heads-up! We’re filling prime dates for the season FAST! Don’t wait. Last year, we had a waiting list for many of our best dates and captains. Get in touch with us so we can make sure you’re covered!

That’s our story!

Jonathan

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International
Website: http://www.tailhunter-international.com/
Phone: (626) 333-3355
FAX: (626) 333-0115
E-Mail: Riplipboy@aol.com
U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Dr., Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745
Mexico Office: , 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Cal Sur, Mexico

“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.”

APPLES TO APPLES

Originally Published in Western Outdoor News the Week of January 15, 2008

As I’m writing this, we’re in the cold, cloudy, rainy weather of the San Francisco Bay area. We just flew in from Baja where we were enjoying temperatures in the sunny 80’s and now we’re bundled up like French fur trappers from the great white north!

We just started our 2008 road show tour which will take us to a number of western cities over the next 3 months at all the major fishing/outdoor shows. We are here now at the ISE Show in San Mateo just outside of San Francisco. Thanks to so many of you that stopped to say hi and comment about the column. We’ll be in Sacramento followed by Denver, Portland, Seattle, Long Beach and Salt Lake City so come say howdy.

Obviously, the whole point of these show is getting info for your next fishing vacation so we’re hearing a lot of common questions from amigos planning their trips to Baja for 2008.

The biggest question is mostly about air flights. In particular the costs.

Baja is undoubtedly the new horizon for a lot of air carriers. Actually, most of the resort areas of Mexico are in the cross-hairs of all kinds of airlines. As a destination, Mexico is close; safe; relatively inexpensive compared to so many other areas and it’s pretty easy to get in and get out whether it’s for a vacation or you’re gonna retire or build or find a vacation spot for yourself.

However, like everything else, the danged fuel costs are taking it to everyone but especially airlines. (By the way, here in the Bay Area, we stopped at one gas station and regular gas was $4.05 for regular!).

Certainly airline costs affect everyone’s travel plans. Here’s a few thoughts if you’re trying to plan your vacation to Baja.

If your hair is not on fire to buy your tickets right now, wait. Historically, we see some nice sales that pop up between January and March. Several airlines fire some nice sales now and then, but you have to be ready to reserve as soon as you see them.

Check out the travel sections of the major papers for ads. The Sunday travel section is a good place to start.
Find out who flies to your prospective destination and bookmark that website. Pop onto it now and again to check for specials.

There are several websites that will compare all the flights schedules and prices for you so you don’t have to bounce between 20 different websites. They line them right up against each other and are great time savers. Personally, I use www.kayak.com among others.

The cool thing is that you can actually program the site to e-mail you automatically when the price of a flight drops below a certain rate or automatically sends you weekly updates. If you work with a travel agent, ask the agent to do the same things for you. It’s a bit more expensive, but there’s nothing like dealing with a live person who’s a professional at travel!

If you have a group, you can also call the airlines directly and ask for a group discount. We have found several that will give discounts for groups as small as 10.

Once you do have the airlines, do a bit of homework. It’s important to compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges.

For instance, one airline might be just a tad cheaper than another. However, find out what about their weight limits. Can you bring 50 pounds or 70 pounds per luggage? One bag or two? How much do they charge for overweight pieces? Will they even allow overweight? (We found a few that hammer you pretty badly).

Remember too that hopefully, coming BACK from your Baja trip you will weigh more than when you arrrived because that ice chest is now packed full of frozen fillets. How much will that ice chest weigh? What happens to that fishing gear you packed in that ice chest which now has to be put in your suitcase or carried on?

There’s one airline out there that charges $100 bucks for rod tubes going down AND coming back. They also use very small planes.

Think about this, that plane can only carry “X” amount of weight. If that plane was full coming down to Baja and is now full coming back, every fisherman aboard now has an extra 50 pounds of fish. There’s a chance some of your luggage might not make the flight.

Seriously. One airline is notorious for that. More than once anglers already sitting in the plane were horrified to see their luggage being taken OFF the flight as they sat helplessly.

So, bottom line. Although one airline might seem cheaper than another, see if the extraneous costs don’t swamp you when you get the final bill.

That’s my story. If you ever want to reach me, my e-mail is riplipboy@aol.com.

PHOTO: This is the time of year that schools of speedy-sierra mackerel move up close to shore. Don’t let the word, “mackerel” put you off. This is one of the best eating fish in the Baja not to mention a great gamefish on light tackle.

THE (LITHIUM) LOAD WARRIOR

Originally published in Western Outdoor News the week of January 8, 2008

OK, for the first part of this column pull out your little violin and listen to me whine. Waaaaaaa…waaa…waaa…waaa…waaa…waaa…

I came back to the states for the holidays to see the family then flew back down here to Baja on Jan. 2nd the day AFTER New Year’s Day. Nothing like hitting the airport the day” holiday cheer” and “good will towards men” is officially is called off. Over. Done.

You know what I’m talking about. Grumpy. Grumpy. Grumpy.

Everyone bustling. Places to go! Airport is jammed. Scores of parents at the end of their tethers after visting granny with three kids in tow. Vacationers stacked with skis and other vacation paraphernalia. College kids headed back to school from winter break. Businessmen already back on the treadmill with ice-cold stares.

I am stuck in line with a bunch of orange-shirted fans from the Illinois University trying to convince themselves that they got “robbed” in the Rose Bowl by USC (Sorry folks…losing 49-17 isn’t robbery, it’s a mugging.) A British couple behind me kept going on and on about how skiing at Big Bear (ski resort just outside of Los Angeles) was nothing like the the Alps and how Europe knows how to take care of skiers! (What were they expecting at Big Bear? )

I go to the security gate which is always a lovely experience taking off my jacket, hat, watch, belt, pulling out my laptop, all while a long line of other grumpy people eyes me impatiently.

Everyone LOVES the shoe part. I happened be wearing high-top lace-up work boats. I take them off and pop them into that grey plasti-basket and PLOP! My white sock lands right in something cold and wet!

Liquids are prohibited, so someone had left their cup of coffee right there where no one…least of all me…had noticed it spilled and chilled. My left foot is in a pool of cold cream coffee. I now have a soaking cold sticky wet sock. Can you feel that? Some people don’t like spiders. I can’t stand soggy socks ‘tween my toes.

The unsympathetic TSA person says, “Hey, got a spare pair of socks?” Oh sure. Carry them all the time in my laptop bag. Do you know what it’s like to put a sticky cold soaking wet sock back into a lace-up shoe? (By the way, I’m also now holding up the line who could care less about my dilemma)

I limp off to the bathroom dangling belt, jacket, shoe-in-hand, with backpack and briefcase a disheveled mess to wring out my sock and try to dry it in the hand dryer. Itself another lovely image in a crowded public restroom. Bad start to my trip home. Waaa-waaa-waaa- waaaa….

So, peripherally, what does this have to do with Baja? Well, listen, I know we gotta protect our air space from terrorists and all so they take away our bottled water and cups of coffee (which you can buy on the OTHER side of the security gate); deadly shampoo; fishing line and duct tape; but here’s the latest.

This I also learned on the day I soaked my socks. As of January 1st, there’s one more thing you have to check off. The FAA is now taking moves to ban laptop and gadget lithium (rechargeable batteries) on planes.

Apparently, in the wake of “exploding batteries (what are they talking about?), it looks like you may have to listen to the screaming baby in the next seat because you can’t bring aboard your iPod. Got an important business meeting? Forget working on the Power Point presentation in the airport or on the plane.

And that expensive laptop? Yes, you’ll have to check it into your soft sided duffle luggage along with your digital camera. Oh, did I mention that your cell phone, Blackberry, and that new iPhone you got for Christmas also have lithium batteries? I have friends that would give up their first-born before parting with their cell phones.

Actually, the way the new rules are written, it currently only applies to spare batteries right now, but reading the actual rules is perplexing. Or maybe I have a small brain.

Go to: http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html and give it a read. As I read it, you are prohibited from putting spare batteries into your checked luggage. Carry them aboard. If the batteries are already installed in the device you’re cool. All is fine.

Except…here it comes.

You are limited to no more than “25 grams of lithium.” Total. And no device can have a lithium battery over 8 grams. Most cell phones and laptops have batteries under the limits. But take a look at the rest of the list of how to calculate “grams.”

Anyone keep a gram scale in the house? Last time I saw a gram scale I had long hair and a puka shell necklace and we were…well, that’s another story.

My office is mobile. I live in a place where back-up systems are necessary. I carry two cell-phones; a Blackberry; two laptops; two digital cameras; an iPod and…and…and…

Life’s too short to start the year with a wet sock and taking away my iPod and laptop at the beginning of the year. Waaa- waaa-waaa-waaa-waaaa….

Feliz Ano Nuevo, amigos!

That’s my story. If you ever want to reach me, my e-mail is riplipboy@aol.com.

PHOTO 1: Inshore fishing provided lots of action this past week. Cabrilla like this one and the pargo lisa held by our Arizona amigos Bob and Gary were close to shore and willing to chew the baits.

EARLY WEEK WINDS TO START THE YEAR SETTLE DOWN FOR SOME GREAT INSHORE ACTION

La Paz/ Las Arenas Fishing Report for January 6, 2008

Hope everyone’s year is off to a good start. Y’know it’s probably some of the most pleasant time to be down here in La Paz right now. Don’t need an air-conditioner in the day with sunny skies and temps in the 70’s. At night, no blankets needed either. It’s about 65!

It’s a little strange still having the town celebrating Christmas and the holidays, but here in Mexico, the Christmas season is a bit extended until the feast of the 3 Kings this week which marks when the 3 wise men visited the manger. So, all the Christmas lights are still up and there are still carols being played and the town is incredibly festive. In fact, folks are still going to be giving gifts this week except the tradition is a tad different. The idea is to give to those less fortunate so there’s big toy drives and things like that going on. Pretty neat.

As far as the fishing is concerned, if you were here this week, you couldn’t help but catch fish and be awfully surprised. Despite winter on the calendar, there was plenty of action on the water.

Early in the week, the winds tore through. In fact, New Years Even was a howl and the week came in like a lion. However, as the week went on, it layed down like the proverbial lamb. When the winds were blowing it was even difficult for the scuba divers to go out.

Well, as the winds calmed we had anglers fishing out of Muertos Bay where they could at least find some protection from the northerns. Light tackle folks had a hoot as cabrilla, snapper, lots of fat bonito and abundant sierra were willing to hit the baits. If you just came for fun, this was topwater action at it’s best. Incredibly, there were even some roosters and dorado poking around!

However, if you had the bigger guns…looks like our pargo have moved in. They’re not lining up in the big schools yet, but the fish are hunkering into the rocks. Anglers were hooking and losing quite a few of the big reds into the rocks and caves so we know they’re there. As the weeks move on, no doubt we’ll get the big schools in the usual places. Nice to see they’re here a bit early. We’ll keep you posted! There’s lots of bait and this wind has to cut out sometime!

WHALE WATCH

The whales are starting to filter into Magdalena Bay. Still not enough to get the whale watching tours going, but normally by mid to late January they’ll be stacked up deep in the shallow waters of the bay. February should be prime time. This is a great family experience if you’ve never had a whale come up to your panga and ask you to scratch it’s nose!

HERE WE COME!

Our 2008 road show kicks off this week. We fly back from La Paz and jump into the trusty Tailhunter van and coming to your town…or a reasonable facsimile. Over the next 3 months we’ll be hitting some of the largest fishing and outdoor shows in the Western U.S. Come say hi. First stop is San Mateo/San Francisco. After that it’s the big Sacramento Show at the Cal Fairgrounds. Along the way over the next few months, we hit Denver, Salt Lake City, Portland, Seattle, Long Beach and some other places I can’t quite remember yet. So…this week…

ISE Show at the San Mateo Expo from Wednesday to Sunday

The week after that, the ISE Sacramento Show at the California Fairgrounds in Sacramento

Check us out. Come say hi!

That’s my story!
Jonathan

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International
Website: www.tailhunter-international.com
Phone: (626) 333-3355FAX: (626) 333-0115
E-Mail: Riplipboy@aol.com
U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Dr., Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745
Mexico Office: , 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Cal Sur, Mexico

“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.”

BAJA ROAD TRIPPING

Originally published the week of January 2, 2007 in Western Outdoor News

Back in the day, when I actually had time to drive up and down the length of Baja we’d do all kinds of idiotic things hauling all manner of toys through the Baja desert. Most of them are things I would never ever do again!

As I look back, it’s amazing no one got hurt or we didn’t lose more stuff or damage more vehicles or have more crisis. But that was also part of the lure of Baja. It was ALWAYS an adventure. Nothing was ever really as it appeared or as planned and that was the allure because you always pretty much laughed through it when all was said and done.

Back in the day, I would literally drive non-stop from the border to Cabo in about 19 – 22 hours. If you’ve never driven the Baja it’s not like wizzing down the interstate back home. While hardly a donkey road, Baja’s main Highway 1 is not a road you take lightly. There’s blind curves; rocks; herds of critters crossing; animals snoozing on the warm pavement; other vehicles going too fast/slow with highlights/no lights behind/in front of you; zero road shoulders…and that was on the GOOD parts of the highway!

I would drive like a madman; take care of biz in Cabo or La Paz then rest about 3 hours and turn right around and drive back to Los Angeles. I’d rest a day or two then drive all the way back…on a whim! It was almost like a commute. Not exactly phi beta kappa thinking.

Most of the time I was hauling things for folks like fishing gear; kayaks; boats; computer parts, etc. You name it and it was probably in my van at one point or another. I once did a favor for a hotel owner who craved cases of Polish sausage, cheddar cheese and fresh mushrooms in the days before those were readily sold in Baja. He wanted it in it in 48 hours and was willing to pay. With a bonus if I was even faster!

But that didn’t stop me from doing things like running my gas tank well past “E” and hoping to find a Pemex stations “on the other side of the hill.” It didn’t stop me from driving through the night of freezing Catavinia’s mountains with the windows rolled down screaming at the top of my lungs trying to stay awake.

It didn’t stop me from driving with no spare tire. No flashlight. No spare gas. No maps. No cell phone (no cell phones in those days). No spare oil or more than say, $100 bucks in my pocket. But, I did always carry toilet paper and perhaps a small cooler of stale sandwiches and sodas. I traveled alone and usually never told anyone I was going.

I once hauled 9 kayaks tied to a trailer. I stopped for gas in El Rosario around dusk. Two hundred miles down the road I had to answer the call of nature in the desert. I did a count and realized…1, 2, 3, 4, 5…hey what happened to the other 4 kayakas? Well, in the strong winds of the passes, they had actually been blown off the trailer when the wrapping straps I was given broke. I drove 5 hours back unsuccessfully looking for 4 of the seventeen foot kayaks in the dark.

Another time, I “volunteered” to help a friend drive down a 24 foot sportfisher with tuna tower. Only problem was that the tuna tower was so tall it wouldn’t go under most standard phone or power wires.

I ended up spending most of that trip riding down the highway hig up in a tuna tower with a big broomstick. As we approached wires, we’d slow down and I’d push the wires up high enough for us to get under. Amazing that I wasn’t fried at one point.

As a postscript when we arrived in Bahia Concepcion, my work was done. It was dark. I climbed into the truck and went to sleep. Others put the boat in the water. Unfortunately, no one secured the anchor line and in the dark the boat floated off and out of the bay. Adios…Rumor has it alcohol was involved! Oh no!

Another time, in the dark, I did run out’ve gas. It was too late to walk back to the town I had passed a ways back or hitch hike so I set up camp in the rocks in a shallow arroyo. I could hear a lot of coyotes that night.

Early in the morning, I woke with a scream and a sore head! Rubbing my noggin, there were teeth marks in the side of the nylon backpack tent I was using right where my head had been. Peering out the screen two coyotes were scampering down the arroyo in the early morning light. Danged things actually drew a little blood off my scalp. I guess I should have had it checked out but since I’d never heard of anyone getting sick from a coyote bite, I let it pass.

I could go on and on. The point is, there’s still a lot of adventure in the Baja. But make some plans. Going off half –cocked like I used to do only invites trouble. I get all kinds of e-mails from readers asking for advice on driving the Baja.

Do some research. Hit the internet. Hit a bookstore. Gene Kira (“The Baja Catch”) has an incredible book about driving the Baja as do several other writers. Be prepared. A little research time can be the difference between an adventure and a crisis. As good as it can be, the Baja can still be very unforgiving to the negligent.

So many times when confronted by a problem, I caught myself saying, “If only…” I was just lucky and it was a different time.

That’s my story. If you ever want to reach me, my e-mail is riplipboy@aol.com.

PHOTO 1: Although offshore fishing has been shut down by winds, the inshore fishing, especially for sierra has been very good with schools of the speedy fish just about anywhere along the beaches, drop offs or around reefs and structures. Our amigos, Tim and Angela Farrell from Oceanside CA hold up a double pair.

INSHORE FISHING GIVES ANGLERS SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN BETWEEN STRONG NORTHERN WINDS

THE FISHING REPORT

Not much jumping around to do this week. Frankly, it was pretty tough to do much of anything. Even scuba divers were staying in rather than get bounced around and getting wet. The northern winds are expected to continue through this coming week as well.

Nothing unusual, that’s just the time of year. There’s a reason this is called W-I-N-T-E-R! There’s a reason not many folks come down this time of year so if you do, you just gotta roll with the punches and be flexible. Fortunately, most folks are pretty cool about it. Others come down thinking it’s gonna be like July…and it’s not. We think it’s COLD right now, but at 71 degrees during the day, it’s still better than most spots on the planet and a nice time to be in town.

As for the fishing, we’re still doing most of our fishing out’ve Muertos Bay. Sure, it takes and hour for us to shuttle you there, but the bay faces south so at least you’re relatively protected and the fishing is close…that’s the key. Inshore, there’s sierra; cabrilla (seabass), jack crevalle and snapper. Every now and then, you never can tell. We had one day where a batch of dorado moved in so our anglers got themselves a nice surprise. Pargo and bonito have also been moving in and out of the areas as well. So, there’s fish to be caught.

If you’re coming down, bring a sweatshirt, windbreaker or light jacket for those windy chilly mornings. You can always take it off!

WHALE WATCHING

We’re starting to take reservations for the upcoming whale watching season. Mid to late January until about mid-March, the California grey whales park themselves over in Magdalena Bay by the thousands. It’s a great event if you’ve never been up close on one of the beautiful animals. If you’re like to check this out, bring your family and give us a shout for more details.

TRADE SHOW SEASON

We’re about to hit the road again! We’ll be on the road for about 3 months hitting YOUR town!

We start things off in Northern California.

January 1-13 at the San Mateo Expo Center for the International Sportsman’s Expo

January 17-20 at the State Fairgrounds in Sacramento for the International Sportsman’s Expo

For the San Mateo Show, we have 5 pairs of tickets to give away to the first 5 of you who ask for them. Total of 10 tickets. So give me a shout if you’d like a pair.

That’s my story!
Jonathan

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International
Website: http://www.tailhunter-international.com/
Phone: (626) 333-3355
FAX: (626) 333-0115
E-Mail: Riplipboy@aol.com
U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Dr., Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745
Mexico Office: , 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Cal Sur, Mexico

“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.”