That's My Story

DORADO AND TUNA AMP IT UP –THEN HURRICANE JOHN SHOWS UP!

La Paz Las Arenas Fishing Report for Sept. 4, 2006

Sorry this is late. I think I’ve been late only a handful of times in 10 years of doing this…but the hurricane cut me off from everything…

PHOTO: Shawn James of West Hills CA crammed alot of fishing into just two days and did about as well as anyone could do putting the hurt to alot of fishing including this sweet bull taken off Isla Espiritu Santo. Here’s his first person report…

“I fished in La Paz for the first time with Jonathan Roldan and Tailhunter International the 25th and 26th of Aug. and it was awesome. On Friday using a Calstar 970 and a new Shimano Torium 20 with 40lb leader I landed 7 beautiful Dorado, one estimated at 40lbs and the other 45lbs. The dorado bite was very good with fish boiling on the chum right at the boat. On Sat. we made the run to Las Arenas where I hooked up with my first ever tuna followed by two more with the largest around 25-30lbs. The tuna bite was trickier with the 20lb fluorocarbon and Captain Victor being the difference between getting tuna or not. Back to back solid fishing days in La Paz.

Jonathan, Thanks again for unbelievable fishing and a first rate operation”

BEFORE THE HURRICANE

IT ALMOST COULDN’T GET MUCH BETTER!

The week started on such a spectacular high note! Folks…the fishing this past week almost could not have gotten better for the most part. Tuna, dorado, marlin, sailfish, pargo…

Then nature stepped in and stepped ON the party as Hurricane John turned it all topsy-turvy. Read on…

La Paz Fishing

Ever have one of those fishing trips where you think you’re so good you should have your own TV show? For most of my anglers all week fishing on the La Paz side, it was “Dorado Slam.” There were a few slow boats here and there, but for the most part, it was as WFO as you could want it to be. Fish everywhere!

Boats were all over as well. From San Juan de La Costa to various parts of the island banks, the boats pushed, but they sure nailed fish. Big bulls up to the 40-50 pound class were not uncommon. Sardines, mackerel, slow trolled bonito slabs and lures all produced like gangbusters. It was THAT good.

Here’s the first person report from Dan Fedorka:

“What an unbelievable trip ! Great weather, great captains, and wide open fishing action !!
Thank YOU for putting it all together and making this trip as flawless as the previous years. Everything that could go right did ! Bait every morning, and Dorado till your arms fell off. Throw in a handful of Marlin and a dozen of Tuna ! What can I say? Does it get any better than what we experienced? I think not !
I highly recommend Aeromexico from LAX. A few extra dollars, but well worth it.
No problems at all ! As you know that doesn’t happen very often.
I will forward you pictures once everyone recovers from all the FUN !
Be safe with the up coming storm. See you next year. “

Las Arenas Fishing

For our Las Arenas anglers, the tuna continued to be hard chargers! For lots of anglers it was a first time pulling on the bullet train wec all the YFT…yellowfin tuna! If you hit the spot, the fish we on fire boiling all over the boat. From Pescadero to the south all the way up to the Punta Arena lighthouse, there were schools to be found. Fun-sized 15-30 pound fish were the norm, but the largest fish were actually the dorado that would come slicing through the tuna schools picking up the chum and hammering some poor guy that wasn’t expecting it and watching his “tuna” turn into an aerobatic dorado! (I really should have made more guys eat hearts this week since so many of them caught their first dorado or tuna!)

Hat’s off to:

1. All of Danny Fedorka’s Group from Arizona who caught more fish than they knew what to do with over 3 days. (Get your stories straight guys on who did what and where each night…one “consistent” story line is all you need!)

2. Noah and Lucas Love from the San Fernando Valley area of CA near Los Angeles. Fishing with their dad, Steve, this 10 and 7 year old were originally supposed to be here during spring break, but had to cancel due to Aero California and re-scheduled to come this past week. The first day…5 dorado plus lost 2 blue marlin and finally hooking a striper. Day 2, half-a-dozen yellowfin tuna (told you boys they were strong!), pargo, snapper and dorado. Day 3 – another striped marlin!

3. Tim Farrell – came with his wife Angie from Oceanside CA – finally got his rooster he’s been chasing. In fact, he got two!

4. Chris Cribbs and Mike from Naked Lures – each day was better than the last! Roosters and dorado all over.

5. Shawn James from Los Angeles – First timer. Busted his Baja cherry in grand style on just about everything that could swallow a hook. Thanks for all the great Disney songs too. Man knew ’em all!

6. Charlie Di Carlo and Ray Darius – For keeping the good smiles and attitude and staying upright most of the time and fishing despite not feeling so good!

THEN THE HURRICANE SHOWED UP!

FRIDAY

It got ugly by Friday. Rain and wind hit us as Hurricane John finally showed up. It wasn’t as strong as predicted (ast least that first day…we were all goofing and having fun) , but enough that we had to cancel boats. Felt bad for the anglers that were here especially Jarrod Groff’s group from the Temecula area. Many of his group were first timers and only had two days to be here and then the storm dropped a king-sized pelican poop on the whole trip. I know how disappointed they were. They kept great attitudes, however. Everyone did.

Parts of Cabo and the East Cape had to be evacuated and we got hit with wind and rain although not as bad as it could have been. Still, there were long lines at the grocery stores and gas stations and we did have to tape up our windows as everyone still remembered hurricane “Marty” that whacked us a few years ago and sunk over a hundred boats and killed a few folks.

FRIDAY NIGHT HOWL

So much for an “easy hurricane…”

Amid “hurricane parties” and people having fun in the rain and mild winds, everyone went to bed. The rain got stronger and stronger coming down in sheets. Warnings were posted not to leave our rooms.

About 2 a.m. we were shaken awake with a howl that sounded as if we were suddenly stuck in a jet engine. It was deafening. Wind and rain hammered us. I could hear glass exploding and doors ripped off hinges. Huge trees were broken in half. Rain hit sideways and to stick your head outside risked getting decapitated by flying debris, pieces of brick and wood and other flying objects. People pushed furniture against doors and mattresses against windows. All electricity flickered then died and in the din of wind it was total darkness.

Crazy amigo Jarrod Groff was out on his balcony with his camera ( I wanna see some of thos photos) and almost got blown off his second story terrace. He said at one point he let go of his big camera and it was standing straight out from his body. One group of gals from Dallas had their window explode on them while they were fighting to keep the wind from tearing off their front door!

Then, it all stopped. An eerie silence as I realized the eye was passing over. From the sound of a passing train to absolutely nothing. People started to come out’ve their rooms, but others walked the hallways telling people get to back inside. In the dark, transformers on power lines were exploding and big trees continued to fall.

And it started again from a different direction and everyone ran for cover as more rain and wind snarled and gusts estimated at over 115 mph tore through trees, buildings and roofs. Rainwater was pushed under doors and window…the ones that weren’t outright shattered and rooms began to flood as we started packing towels and rags under doors in an effort to stem the waters.

By morning, strong winds continued with sheets of rain, but it was clear that the worst had passed by Saturday and the devastation could be measured. Huge trees were uprooted. Power lines were down. Giant branches were thrown through windows. Cascades or water tumbled down crumbling walls. Roofs that existed the night before were simply no longer there. Ceiling tiles hung loosly. Mud was everywhere and rivers of water gushed. Wind had punched ragged holes in cement and drywall. And we began to dig out…

I ran shuttles in my mini-van back and forth across town all day in the rain so that folks could get to the store to buy food and water. It was like a war zone. I have been through 6 of these now and this was a doozy. I have never had the eye of a hurricane pass directly overheard. Town is a mess but cleaning up. We’ll be fine!

THE AFTERMATH

Only this evening, have I gotten internet to be able to post my report. We have been 3 days with no running water, cooked food, electric, phones, toilets or lights. In fact, I am the only one left here at La Concha Beach Resort. Everyone else has been evacuated to other hotels. It’s hot a humid and we’ve been digging out of mud for the last two days.

But…I did get four boats out today! We were the only fleet with boats out from what I could tell and everyone got dorado! It will only get better! There’s alot of green water out there and we had to go far for the fish. However, there’s an incredible amount of debris floating around. Give it a few days to gather up and I think we’re gonna have some spectacular dorado fishing again!

That’s my story!
Jonathan

Jonathan Roldan’s Tailhunter International
Website: www.tailhunter-international.com
Phone: (626) 333-3355
FAX: (626) 333-0115E-Mail: Riplipboy@aol.com
U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Dr., Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745
Mexico office: Carr. a Pichlingue KM5; Numero 205, La Paz, Baja 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.”

PUBLISHED in WESTERN OUTDOOR NEWS WEEK of SEPT. 3, 2006

WAITING TO BREAK WIND IN BAJA !

So, here I am tapping furiously on my computer trying to make deadline with WON while simultaneously watching my laptop computer screen; the ocean; the sky; and the beach hoping my boats get back before the winds come up. Hurricane John is bearing down on us and I’ve already lost computer power and internet several times today so I’m scrambling to get this written and e-mailed back to WON.

Looks like we’re not going to be able to dodge this one. We’ve been watching Hurricane John build to the south for two days now and all the forecasts and NOAA computer models have it coming right up to punch Baja in the gut.

This isn’t our first hurricane of the year. We’ve had several warnings here in La Paz where I am, but none have brought anything more than an hour of rain or so. I think John is one to take seriously.

All day long, local folks were taking things down. Plants and swingsets; barbecues and awnings; smaller boats were being pulled out’ve the water and put on trailers while larger ones were either being tied down or in some cases running for the horizon to get out’ve harm’s way.
Pangeros were putting their boats on the beach and putting in the drain plugs so the boats will fill up with water and will be too heavy to blow away. There’s been a steady stream of boat traffic back and forth across my window all day and you can tell by the speeds that these boats aren’t out for pleasure cruises or fishing trips. There’s a controlled sense of urgency.

I saw people boarding up and taping up windows. There were apparently thousands of folks lined up at the stores in Cabo this morning buying provisions and one amigo said “panic purchasing” has also hit here in La Paz where long lines were seen at gas stations as well as local grocery and variety stores.

I’ve been through perhaps half-a-dozen of these now and, although I don’t like them from the perspective of running a fishing business, it’s not like being in say, an earthquake or tornado. You can’t prepare for those. I have been watching the weather websites all day. I have my stuff stashed. It’s currently clear right now and a beautiful Baja day, but I know that in a few hours, we’ll probably see Mother Nature kick like the south end of a Mexican mule that ate a basketful of habanero chiles.

As long as everyone is safe, it’s not a bad thing to be around. I’m not talking about the poor folks who got hit by the likes of Katrina. In most cases, no one will be losing their homes in these garden-variety chubascos and most of us locals kind of accept that this stuff happens. Some roads will get washed out. There will be some flooding from drains that only get wet the rest of the year when someone empties an ice chest.

The biggest thing is convincing tourist that it’s OK. We’re gonna probably get a bit wet and it’s gonna get windy. Some things are gonna leak. You may not get to do that horsey-back riding thing at sunset you looked forward to and ex-nay on the scuba diving tomorrow. If you take precautions and listen to people in charge (Let’s not fire up the boat and see if you can troll around the eye of the storm!) it’s gonna be like a Disneyland ride with some eye-opening stuff and everyone comes out at the end with a big exhalation of breath and a great Baja story to tell. I’ve had some of the best hurricane parties ever during storms and storms parties throw together some of the neatest people.

In the grand scheme of things, for tourists, hurricanes aren’t an emergency. They are a big INCONVENIENCE. Planes aren’t on time. You can’t get your suntan. You might have to stay an extra night or two in your beachside room or condo instead of hustling back to work or commuting on the freeway. You might not get to fish. You may have an evening of candlelight because the electricity goes out. Is it so bad that no one can reach you on your cell phone for a few hours? Is the butter-dipped lobster at the restaurant really that bad? You’re not losing your home. Your kid might miss his football practice. You’ll miss that back-to-school sale at Wal Mart. There’s a big difference between an emergency and an inconvenience.

That being said, I sure hope this is a mild one and everyone stays safe. I’ve already had to cancel my boats so I’m going to play in the rain tomorrow; spend time inside with a big plate of nachos and have some laughs with my fishermen and their familes and take lots of photos! I have to end this and get it mailed out before we lose power!

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

PUBLISHED WEEK OF AUG. 28, 2006 Western Outdoor News

Photos: Examples of commercial long lining for manta rays near Cerralvo Island

MEXICAN NAVY JACKS FISH PIRATES!

Will wonders never cease? Just about the time you throw up your hands about any conservation efforts or enforcement of gamefishing, something good comes along and you stand up, pump your fist in the air and give a “Woof! Woof! Woof!” for the good guys.

Seems La Paz has is once again the center of news. Last week, everyone wanted to know about the uh…”alleged”…notorious drug king pin Javier Arrellando Felix from Tijuana. The hombre was arrested by the U.S. Coast Guard while fishing international waters in the Sea of Cortez outside of La Paz. (Reportedly, he didn’t ask for a refund of his charter fees).

This week, reports indicate that last month, hot tips by anglers led to the apprehension of three vessels by the Mexican Navy (Yes, THAT navy you make fun of all time!). The boast were illegally longlining dorado. Check this, the boats were slightly “over limits.” They had 7 tons of mahi aboard. Actually, there are no limits for commercial fishing because they’re prohibited from taking dorado commercially. Dorado are strictly a sportfish.

According to the reports, the recently started Center of Marine Protection, who are partners with the Billfish Foundation were instrumental in the apprehension. Based in La Paz and funded by FONMAR, a trust created last year whereby funds from fishing licenses are used towards enforcement, education and research of conservation programs in Southern Baja, they have a liason who works directly with the Mexican Navy. Using on-the-water observations this facilitates the Navy in targeting illegal fishing activities.

Apparently, the three commercial trawlers were from the Mexican mainland and were acting as “mothership” operations supporting pangas that were longlining for dorado. These boats were only licensed as commercial squid boats. If seven tons is 14,000 pounds and let’s say a schoolie dorado is about 10 pounds, that’s 1000 pescado on ice!

All three vessels were taken to Santa Rosalia and charges are pending against the captain and crew.

This is great news. Dorado (dolphinfish) are popular sportfish and for much of southern Baja, the backbone of the catch during the warmer months of the year. They grow fast; fight hard; taste great; and often can be one of the easiest fish in the Baja to catch. Some would say even “stupid” in their voraciousness to eat a bait and an easy target for commercial interests who want to fill their holds with a popular eating fish.

There had actually been a movement in the last few years to legalize the taking of dorado by commercial Mexican fishermen. If that happens, frankly, kiss the sportfishing industry in Baja good-bye. The fish are so easy to catch, an angler can catch dozens in an hour with very little effort. Turn loose a fleet of commercial pangeros and watch the slaughter as well as the immediate decline of the sportfishing industry which is already taking a gut punch.
Obviously tons are already being caught illegally and one can only imagine the impact of “officially” allowing commercial fishermen to go willy-nilly on the mahi. Might as well go club baby harp seals because the dorado are about that easy.

To my knowledge, this is the second time something like this has taken place. In the summer of 2004, Tracy Ehrenberg who owns the popular Pisces Fleet in Cabo, was instrumental in the apprehension of a commercial longliner setting nets on the Gorda Banks. One of their charters reported the activity. Tracy tried to get a fast boat out to the spot, but could get no assistance in finding a boat to take a boatload of Mexican marines out on the chase.

Finally, the Gaviota Fleet volunteered a boat which caught up to the commercial boat discovering more than 2 miles of long lines stretched across the banks. Here’s the rub. Of the 8 crew arrested, a Japanese “fishing advisor” was discovered to be aboard. Additionally, the boat was actually a state-owned boat owned by the Mexican State of Michoacan. Makes you wonder who is giving who permission to do what, doesn’t it? Same old. Same Old.

But this stuff goes on daily. I see it when I’m on the water each week. However, only TWO apprehension in two years? Still have a long way to go!

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

riplipboy@aol.com.

# # # # #
JMR
MEX NAVY JACKS FISH PIRATES
08/25/06

YELLOWFIN TUNA FINALLY JOIN THE PARTY at LAS ARENAS. DORADO MAKE STRONG COMEBACK at LA PAZ!

PHOTO: Jeff Sakuda from Montebello CA and Ron Imada from Whittier CA were there the first day the tuna bite went off taking these just north of Punta Pescadero

PHOTO 2: Fresh sashime and sushi. Jeff Sakuda (middle) is joined by Capt. Jorge
“Moscorone” on the right and Carlos “El Chofer” from La Paz

PHOTO 3 : Roger Van Steenkiste from Phoenix AZ might be 80-years-old but he can still pull on fish. This was his first return to La Paz in 20 years and we put him with the same captain (Victor) he had in 1986! Jerell Mulhollan (right) got his first tunas ever and was all set to eat the hearts. He would later get a 45 pound rooster and his largest dorado, also his first.

PHOTO: Fred Henkle (New York) and Mike Bradley (North Carolina) got in on the tuna bite south of Las Arenas landing fish up to 30 pounds on light tackle. They also racked up the dorado on the La Paz side later in the week. Mike worked all week for his first marlin and finally got one on the last day in the last half hour to top his trip.

PHOTO 5: Smiles say it all. Nothing like yellowfin tuna and a good day on the water with buddies! Jerrell and Roger strike a pose on Las Arenas beach near the lighthouse.

PHOTO 6: Joey Fuschetti is a high school coach from Irvine CA and is a frequent Las Paz visitor. He’s fished with us for alot of years and insists that using papaya rinds in the chum line got the dorado boiling as he worked Espiritu Santo Island.

PHOTO 7: Ken Melendres of Laguna Hills CA got this beefy sailfish off Espiritu Santo Island. Even though this was his first billfish, they gamely had planned to release the fish, but were unable to after it had swallowed the bait. The meat was distributed to hungry families in La Paz.

BIG FISH ROLL WITH TUNA, DORADO, SAILFISH and MARLN!

Wow, what a week of ups and downs! Happily, there were a lot more “ups” than “downs” and most of them involved pumping fishing rods up and down and being tied onto fish! There were a few low spots..like wondering all week if we were going to get hammered by a storm or hurricane, but (knock on wood), we dodged it and the fish came to chew! Great week overall! Two fins up!

La Paz

Started slow. We dinked and plinked here and there. We had big baits and small baits, but the fish just wouldn’t rally. Most of the catch was dorado and darn…the ones that were caught were mostly LARGE! But it could be a long day until something came along and busted your chops!

However, as the week went on…oh wow…gangbusters on the dorado! These fish were not only quantity…they were freakin’ QUALITY fish too! Quite a few fish in the 30-50 pound class just revved and rolling and barking and flipping and beating the hell out’ve the anglers. Several days there, the boats were done by noon and then spent hours cleaning fish at Balandra Beach. Guys were coming back shell-shocked! One afternoon, every one of my anglers laid down to take a “15-minute” nap after fishing. Not a single one woke up for the dinner bell. Everyone of them passed out dead tired!

It tapered just a tad at week’s end, but overall just outstanding dorado fishing with a bit of marlin tossed in. No one complained and a lot of happy tired grins

Las Arenas

It started early in the week with a bang as yellowfin tuna finally showed up to the party. We wait for these fish all year and using the report from one of the commercial pangeros our fleet motored about an hour south of Muertos Bay. About 1/4 mile off the beach, tossing handfuls of bait and the YFT’s came to play! Wham! Wham! Fish grabbing air! Fish inhaling bait! Smaller fish under the boat running through the chum lines and larger fish just outside teasing and blowing bait out’ve the water!

There were a few days there when we pulled away to head home and fish were still boiling! Now THAT’s solid fishing! Sometimes when too many pangas would show up ,the fish went to ground but I had our people put on small rubber core sinkers or start chunking with dead bait and BENDO! We’d be on again.

One other thing, using flurocarbon line sure seemed to make a difference on the tuna. Light fluro in the 20-25 range was the difference between having 2 or 3 more fish than the next boat.

The cool thing was as the week went on the fish moved up closer to our beaching areas such that right in front of the Las Arenas lighthouse at the drop off the tuna decided to hang out. But…on top it, dorado rolled in as well as some amberjack, pompano and several huge roosterfish were also caught! Just great variety. Even a big sierra was caught as well as some cabrilla and pargo.

Waters are 86 degrees. Air temps are 98-102 and the sun is blazing!

AIRLINE

Heads up! Delta Airlines officially starts flying Dec. 15th from Los Angeles to La Paz. Yay.

Aero Cal, while still dragging their feet (?) about flying out of Los Angeles has specials out of Tijuana as low as $133 one way.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

Jonathan Roldan’s Tailhunter International

Website: 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: Carr. a Pichlingue KM5; Numero 205, La Paz, Baja 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.”

YELLOWFIN TUNA FINALLY BOIL FOR OUR LAS ARENAS BOATS AT END OF WEEK BUT VARIETY OF SPECIES PACES THE BITE FOR LA PAZ/LAS ARENAS AREA

Photo 1: Ryan Rogers of San Diego hefts a trophy-sized cabrilla (Mexican seabass) taken off the Las Arenas area. Considering how late in the year it is, we’re getting some super cabrilla right now.

Photo 2: Larry Rogers of San Diego (Ryan’s Dad) holds a toad of a bull dorado taken on the La Paz side near Espiritu Santo Island. Is this a big dorado or what? Larry and Ryan got several major league dorado.

Photo 3: Ryan Rogers holds one of several species of pargo you can catch right now. This particular one is a great-eating barred pargo (pargo mullato).

Photo 4: John Drucker came all the way down from Oregon and tagged this great bull dorado.

Photo 5: Robert and Cindi Bourque from Utah had a banner day fishing Las Arenas. Bob commented that he wished he had brought his fly rod as they took a number of different species including bonito, dorado, pargo and jacks.

TUNA COME TO CHEW AND BIG DORADO HIGHLIGHT INTERESTING WEEK

Folks, in the last 8 hours, I’ve had to re-write this fishing report 3 different times because things changed so rapidly! Basically it was kind of a s0-so week where you could really rip into some fish…or not… but some things happened late week that really got things fired up…

LA PAZ
Typical late summer fishing with big dorado pacing things. It was hardly wide-open, but for our La Paz anglers, having mackerel as baits got some of the bigger dorado to bite as well as marlin, but it could be a long lethargic day that suddenly erupts when a big dorado hits. Our boats worked far north of Espiritu Santo or on the West side of the island near Isla Ballena. There’s definitely a lot of dorado around, but often wouldn’t eat as we found many had a lot of squid in their stomachs. Several 60-70 pound dorado were caught. It really depended on boats. You could have a really slow day one day then the next be the king boat of the day.

The secret is to fish more than one day. Put time at the rail. Bring your best game. There were so many times where guys would come back looking disapointed and not have good fish counts. However, upon talking to them, I’d find out that they hooked some large fish but then they lost the fish due to lack of experience; not being ready; or simply dumb luck. I had three different guys this week tell me they had dorado over 60 pounds on the line but two of the guys told me “their hooks came untied (pigtailed!!!) which is just inexcusable. If you don’t know how to tie a proper hook don’t be embarrassed to have the captain tie the darned thing. Another guy said he thought it was a small dorado so he didn’t want to “put down his beer.” Well, the big dorado not only took his beer but ate his lunch too. You don’t get many chances!

LAS ARENAS

For Las Arenas, the buzz late in the week went out as 40 pound tuna breezed through the area in front of the Las Arenas lighthouse, but moved fast and wouldn’t eat the baits then 40-60 pound tuna crashed commercial boats south at Punta Pescadero, but were also moving too fast by the time sport pangas moved in. That was on Saturday!

Well, on Sunday, the fleets went full bore to the area to see if the tuna would come up and sure enough…yea! The summer tuna bite was on. No way to know how long this will last, but according to anglers, fish were “boiling all over.” The key was to get fish early. As more boats joined in the fish went to ground. Smarter anglers used flurocarbon and weights and got more of the YFT’s. These were a nice grade of 20-30 pound tuna! The other trick was to simply move off the spot and wait until other boats moved in then ninja back in and stealth fish as the only boat and throw bait…and watch the tuna come to par-TAY!

We’ll be exploring both areas more. In the meantime, debris lines from recent rains kept small to medium dorado in the area and inshore rooster and pargo fishing kept light tackle anglers going. It’s HOT and HUMID down here!

I was out several times this week with clients and I’m surprised at how different things are from one place to another and how it seems there’s nothing consistent right now. One day there’s only big mackerel or caballitos for bait. Another day, there’s only sardines. Another day the sardines are hard to find. Likewise, even the water and climate seem to be all over the place. Some mornings it’s gusty and bumpy and folks are feeling ill then an hour later, you’re praying for a breeze as the waters go so calm that you can’t tell where the sky ends and the water begins because there’s not a ripple on the water and sea and sky are the same color.

DESERT LIT UP WITH BLOOMS

Tell you one thing, the desert is probably as beautiful right now as you will ever see it. There’s been a lot of rain either in gentle showers or sporadic torrents all month and the desert is in full bloom. It doesn’t even look like the same country! Imagine Mexico being GREEN! Flowers are popping up all over. Grass is growing. The hills and mountains are a virtual carpet of green. Cactus are all puffed up from soaking up so much water and even the desert cattle are looking a little chubby! Great time to be in the countryside.

Oh…also tons of dolphin, whales and manta rays out here right now. Great show!

PROMISING STUFF HAPPENING

As we fished Las Arenas, there’s some debris lines building from stuff that washed out of the arroyos. It’s starting to gather up and form more distinct lines with wood and dried grass and parts of trees floating around out there. I think given a few days, these could be some great spots for dorado in the coming week or so.

Likewise for the tuna. It was right about this time the last two years that tuna popped up off Las Arenas. On Sunday they finally came to chew to the south of us and we got into some nice grade of fish. Will they stick around? Will the continue to move north? My captains seem to think so! Fingers crossed. We’ve been waiting for tuna all season.

FULL OF FRUIT?

Lastly, Joe Fuschetti has been a long time Tailhunter client and amigo. Joe INSISTS that he has found the latest and greatest thing to get dorado to burn the drags. Joe and his buddies Ken and Tim were off Espiritu Santo Island and fishing was slow. They were dragging both live and dead bait. Joe had some chopped fruit for breakfast and had also brought some fresh papaya on board. Tossing the green skins and orange-colored peels into the chum line, Joey tells me that suddenly fish started boiling. Bonito came to the rods and bird started diving. In quick succession they nailed a dorado. Joey tossed other fruit (watermelon and mango into the chum and nothing happened). He then fired off more papaya into the chumline and the fish boiled again and they got two more dorado as well as bonito! He thinks the orange color of the papaya did it, although the fish would not boil on sliced mango! Go figure. Anyway, Joe is so insistent that this works that he was even willing to put up or shut up and said I could post his e-mail address (He’s a coach for the San Diego School Dist). It’s JFuschetti@NMUSD.US. Don’t write me. Write him! I warned him, but he says this is his new secret weapon for dorado.

TRAVEL NOTES

Travel restrictions seem to have eased up a bit coming down here. No one is reporting any big problems with security but give yourself some extra time just-in-case. Also, I’ve had a number of clients coming through Tijuana now that Aero Cal and Avolar Air are flying to La Paz from there and all of them are raving at how easy it is.

Finally…Check your internet. Delta Air starts flying down here in December!

CALL WWW.DRUGLORDCHARTERS.COM!

Lastly, the notorious druglord cartel bad guy from Tijuana Javier Arrellano Felix was not one our of OUR boats! Thanks to all of you who e-mailed me during the week. The cartel king is alleged to have been responsible for all kinds of nasty things in TJ and other areas from assassinations to mass murder. He was busted early this week by the U.S. Coast Guard on a charter boat called “Dock Time” with 8 others while fishing. According to reports, they were fishing 15 miles outside of La Paz.

I had newspapers and magazines asking me for interviews or asking if I could find out who owned the boat. Everyone was buzzing trying to find out about the boat. Well, we’ve never even heard of that boat down here and it must be a big one to have 8 anglers on it as well as crew. Hope he was pre-paid and doesn’t ask for a refund!

HEAVEN IN A BUN

Muchisimas gracias to Marianne Suguwara and Jeff Sakuda who brought me two In-N-Out double-double animal style burgers this week. You have no idea how good those tasted. Marianne let them cool then wrapped each one carefully in wax paper then into a small zip lock bag and then into a larger zip lock bag. They were virtualy perfect when they arrived. I zapped one in my microwave to put a little heat on it and the second one I took out on the panga and savored every single bite. THAT’s what I’m talking about!!! I LOVE Mexican food, but after a whole season, things with salsa start to wear pretty thin. Chomping double double burgers was food of the gods!

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: Carr. a Pichlingue KM5; Numero 205, La Paz, Baja 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.”

PUBLISHED WEEK OF AUG. 22, 2006 WESTERN OUTDOOR NEWS

TAKING YOUR BEST BULL (SHOT)!

Say, looks like the Baja and Southern Cal are having quite a dorado season. For the lower Baja waters, it seems like we’re finally away from so many of those firecracker schoolie dorado and the bigger bulls have moved in.

This is the time to have your “A” game, amigos. You may not get many shots at these trophy fish that might go 30-60 pounds and are the premier Baja fish of the summer for most anglers.

If you’re fishing the light tackle, use heavier leader. All dorado have teeth. Don’t be afraid to use larger hooks as well. If you’re bait fishing, use the largest hook that will not kill your bait and allow it to swim as freely as possible.

The larger fish are older and smarter. They didn’t get like this because they were stupid or eating just anything tossed their way like their little brothers. Notwithstanding, when on the “feed, ” large dorado will hit just about anything they put their mind to and slam it with a viciousness that will rip a rod out of your hands if you’re sleeping. So, be selective in your lure choices and do not be afraid to use the large lures in your quiver. I have seen even pint-sized dorado torpedo towards lures that were meant for blue marlin and hit them with a zeal that must have knocked out a couple of the squirt’s teeth.

If mackerel seems to be the prevalent baits, go for lure patterns like the Mean Joe Green (green and black) and the Ninja (black and purple) that look like darker baits. Caballitos in the tank? Consider using the Petroleros (silvery blue, grey but with some light orange or brown streaks in it like gasoline…petrol!) If you happen to get one or two in the box, take a moment and examine the stomach contents. See squid in there? Go for pinks, reds and white color patterns.

One of the favorite foods of dorado are flying fish. One reason the dorado will often hang around buoys is that the flying fish will lay eggs on the floats, ropes, etc. Flying fish will often meet their end around the buoys to lurking dorado. I have often found dead flying fish tangled in the buoys and there’s nothing like “flying fish candy” to fire up a big bull. Well..well..well…

Pin that onto a swiveled leader and drag that at slightly higher speed than normal and watch it pop and skitter on the surface just like a live flying fish and watch what happens. Several days I couldn’t find a flying fish, but I did see dorado chasing some fliers, so I rigged a quick daisy chain by putting several tuna feathers in tandem spaced about 12 inches apart with hooks only on the last one.

Dragged behind the boat, they dive and pop just like commercial daisy chain lures! If they have slanted or popper heads the action is even better. Picked up two nice bulls on a day when not much else could get’em to bite.

Other Bits and pieces:

Post terror scare on the East Coast airlines, restrictions have certainly tightened all around, but talking to quite a few of my clients coming and going in the Baja, they’re telling me it’s not too bad at all. Get there early and avoid the crowds. The delays specifically due to the more extensive searches do last longer, but if you give yourself extra time, you’ll be OK. Travelers are being allowed to carry-on items, but, as of the time of this writing, they are still restricting most liquid-based items.

Finally, I must have gotten over a dozen e-mails from amigos asking if alleged notorious drug cartel boss, Javier Arrellano Felix was on one of our charter boats when he was busted this past week. Felix was on a charter boat about 15 miles outside of La Paz in the Sea of Cortez fishing when he got nabbed by the U.S. Coastguard. Sorry, but I had never heard of the boat before now. I hope his trip was pre-aid. I wonder if he’ll ask for a refund?

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

BIG DORADO PACE COMEBACK AFTER SLOW STARTING WEEK!

Photo: California Highway Patrol officer Randy Lyons from Elk Grove CA ran into a few days of tough fishing but hung in there and finished with a flourish nailing some nice bull dorado, his first ever striped marlin and this solid 42 pound bull (on the scale) which was his personal best. He caught it east of Espiritu Santo with popular Capt. Raul “Papa” Martinez of the Tailhunter Fleet.

BIGGER DORADO TURN A ROUGH WEEK AROUND!

Early in the week we got double whammied with a full moon and rainy windy weather. I think those were some of the poorest fishing days of the year. Local water temps dropped a good 4-8 degrees! However, by the end of the week we were on the upswing. Still not wide open, but the dorado that were caught were all generally trophy sized mahi. Marlin…especially striped marlin and occasional blues were also on the chew as things got back to normal. Even Las Arenas picked up with inshore species such as roosters, cabrilla, big pargo and even a few stray yellowtail got in the counts with some nice dorado as well as a few wahoo. The recent storms put out some nice lines of brush and trash that had washed down from the hills and by the end of the week dorado were hanging out under the current lines.

NEW TRAVEL REGS

Better give yourself extra time at the airport amigos. I’m sure you’ve heard about most of these new regulations. For East Coast travelers, they are not allowing ANY carry-on luggage of any kind except those that fit the exception.

So far, however, for travelers to Mexico, you can still carry stuff on, but check out the new stuff below:

US customs and Border Protection as well as the Transportation Security Administration (TASA) will be increasing enforcement efforts in international arrival areas, including the use of advanced targeting tools, special response teams including baggage and aircraft search teams, baggage X-ray equipment, specially-trained canine units, and explosive detection technology. (You thought taking off your shoes were bad…)

No liquids or gels of any kind will be permitted in carry on baggage. Such items must be in checked baggage. This includes all beverages, shampoo, sun tan lotion, creams, tooth paste, hair gel and other items of similar consistency. (Well, there goes the Grecian formula…)

Exception: Baby formula, breast milk (that’s a quote) , or juice if a baby or small child is traveling; prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket; and insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines, which all must be presented for inspection at the checkpoint. Beverages purchased in the boarding area (beyond the checkpoint) must be consumed before boarding because they will not be permitted on board the aircraft. Pack lightly and use clear plastic bags to facilitate screening. For international flights arrive 3.5 hours prior to departure.

That’s my story!
Jonathan

Jonathan Roldan’s Tailhunter InternationalWebsite: 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: Carr. a Pichlingue KM5; Numero 205, La Paz, Baja 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.”

DORADO AND OTHER FISH GET SCRATCHY ALONG WITH WEATHER – La Paz Fishing Report for Aug. 5, 2006

PHOTO: Dave Berthold came all the way from New Jersey to “see what West Coast humidity was like.” He also got several nice days of dorado fishing taking a number of fat bulls like this hefty dorado fishing north of La Paz.

SCRATCH FISHING FOR LAS ARENAS AND LA PAZ SO HAVE YOUR “A” GAME WITH YOU

Interesting week. I think we’re still adjusting a bit from that storm two weeks ago and continued iffy weather where it’s blazingly sunny one day then windy and snotty the next. It seemed like we were coming back pretty nicely. Maybe we weren’t getting the numbers of dorado previously but we made up for in quality what we lost in quantity as most of the fish were really nice bulls.

Then, late in the week, we had a tiny little squall and the fish either lockjawed or pushed far outside. I mean way outside north of El Bajo or on the edges of our perimeter east of Cerralvo or south almost to the East Cape. Some marlin grabbed lures, but by this last Saturday, it was considerably slower. I think the fish are just re-adjusting. Inshore fishing for Las Arenas and La Paz is still good. Some pargo hanging in the rocks as well as some roosterfish. But really got scratchy over the weekend.

On both sides, if you were on the right boat you got a fish or two or three. If you weren’t or you weren’t on your game, it was disappointing. There’s fish to be caught right now, but if you aren’t sharp or miss an opportunity, that could be the one or two bites of the day. Everyone late in the week is scattering looking for the bite. Nothing concentrated so it’s a pick. If the weather stabilizes, I think things will settle down.

Don’t know where the wahoo and tuna went, but there was a quick jag of tuna outside Cerralvo that quickly disappeared, and there was a wahoo or two hooked, but nothing stuck.

It’s hot and muggy and partially cloudy here.

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: Carr. a Pichlingue KM5; Numero 205, La Paz, Baja 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.”

PUBLISHED IN WESTERN OUTDOOR NEWS Week of Aug. 7, 2006

Photos: In a land that’s not accustomed to much rain and a where year’s total can easily fall in a short period of time, even an hour of solid water and wind can wreak havoc and it’s time to seek some cover until the sun comes back out! “Toritos” are basically violent little storms that can literally pop out of nowhere and quickly blow away. They are well named. “Torito” means “baby bull.”

TORITO SEASON

It was still dark outside as I padded around my office in my shorts and flip flops. Not quite 4 a.m., but I was already up and getting ready to get things set for our fishing clients most of whom were still fast asleep or sleeping it off. Let them sleep a while longer before we roust ‘em. But I had to get the breakfasts and lunches ready. Set out the ice chests. Check on ice. Get the coffee going.

All of a sudden, WHAM! Then WHAM again! It sounded like someone had dropped my dark quiet morning in a kettle drum and set off a nuclear explosion! People came running out’ve their rooms. I heard some kids crying and people running down the halls . It was the biggest explosion I had ever heard. Windows shook and things fell of my desk. I started to run towards the door myself and then I heard it…the white noise of water…Rain in torrents followed by smaller anvils of thunder, incredible lightning that torched the morning, and then the wind! Water was already getting pushed by the wind under my door and through the crack of my window.

What in the world? Where did this come from? Lightning in the distance over the water gave the appearance of a huge artillery barrage as I tried to look out my window through the sheets of rain now falling.

The sky had been clear and the moon had been out only several hour earlier! Not a hint that this was going to happen, but I knew it for what it was, a “torito.” (little bull) No, not some new corn chip snack. These are violent little storms that aren’t too different from hurricanes.

They can come up with little warning. They can lash and thrash with the violence of a full “chubasco” (hurricane) then leave as stealthily as they came. This one dropped 5 inches of rain in an hour, then simply blew away. The moon and stars came out to show flooded streets; knocked over trees; and debris everywhere.

People tell me all the time that they are afraid to come to Baja in the fall because it’s “hurricane season.” You can see their eyes bug out and hear the nervousness in their voices as if someone had told them the Night Stalker was hiding under their bed.

My response is usually, yes, a hurricane can happen. But, it’s about as likely as you getting shot by a drive-by in Los Angeles. Too much TV! Thousands of people come to Baja every fall and the only moisture they run into is rimmed with salt on a margarita glass. The fall is one of the most popular times to be in Baja.

However, that being said, there’s no telling when a torito might hit. I’ve been in a number of them and they come up fast. The clouds build to blackness. The waters change colors and start to roll. Wind suddenly whips up and it’s time to get off the water and back to the beach to sit it out. If you’re land bound already, duck into a sports bar and order another round. Watch Mother Nature do the Baja shimmy. It’ll blow over but best head for cover for a bit.

AERO CAL FLIES AGAIN

That’s the good news. The bad news is they only have a handful of planes. The other part of the bad news is that (for now) they are only flying over Mexican airspace. No planes at Los Angeles International. Check out: www.aerocalifornia.com or toll free 800-0237-6225.

According to airline reps, they will know sometime after Aug. 11th or 15th (that’s what they said!) if they will be able to add Los Angeles to their destinations. For those still holding tickets there are several options:

1. Fly out’ve Tijuana the nearest destination to the border. I’ve done it many times and it’s easy. Aero Cal will trade tickets straight across.
2. Contact the airline and obtain a voucher good for 1 year to use your ticket
3. Transfer your ticket to a friend or family member.

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

PUBLISHED IN WESTERN OUTDOOR NEWS BAJA COLUMN Week of Aug. 1, 2006

Photo: If I had a hammer…

JUST ANOTHER CULTURAL DIFFERENCE

For any of you that have ever tried to do some construction or a re-model or even just hired a contractor or handy-man to do something around the adobe, you might have an inkling of what I’m talking about.

I have been working on a project now for over a year. Well, not me. I’m busy. Being the smart guy that I am, I hired some folks to do some work for me. Of course, at the outset, it’s all smiles and handshakes and a lot of , “No problema. No te preocupes! (No problems. Don’t worry!) Famous last words, right? Right up there with, “I swear I will NEVER drink again!”

Well, things went on swimmingly the first few weeks. Madre de Dios! These guys were good. And they were cheap. Compared even to the guys you might find to do some yard work at your local Home Depot parking lot, contruction zoomed and I couldn’t believe how little it cost! Guys in ladders. Gus schlepping paint. Guys grittily pushing wheelbarrels of cement in the hot Baja sun! Up-and-up-and-up it went and I felt like saying, “No wonder the danged Aztecs built those pyramids so well and so fast!”

Then, one fateful day came the word…”Uh, Jonathan, we forgot permits for electricity. Oh, and we also forgot a few other things too. But…(here come those famous last words) “Don’t you worry! We’ll have to done “manana.” (tomorrow)

That was over a year ago and I am no closer to completing my project now as I was then. The red tape and cost overruns rivals the U.S. budget in the Iraq. How did this happen?

I have come to learn there is a cultural difference in how we use the word “manana.” It was explained to me by my foreman one hot sweltering day as I sat on a pile of stones that was supposed to have been moved, “manana.”

As he explained to me, when we gringos use it, it means exactly what it means…”tomorrow.” However, I was advised that, although Mexico has often been accused of being the laid-back “land of manana,” it is also because culturally, it’s the polite way of saying, “maybe!” What?

Here’s the rule, according to my foreman. Culturally, many Mexicans hate to disappoint and say something cannot be done. They are being polite. So, being ambigious is the next best thing. Saying “manana” handily dismisses the issue. According to my foreman, he said, “By the time a Mexican says ‘manana’ to you the third time, go find someone else to do the job.”

On the other hand, if someone emphatically says, “Seguro!” (sure thing), you can take it to the bank. He got up and dusted himself off leaving me sitting on the hot pile of stones to contemplate his advice and the construction mess around me.

“So when will you finish the electrical?” I called after him.

“Sure thing, manana!” He laughed.

I just paid him too…

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