That&#039;s My Story

U.S. Office: 8030 La Mesa, Suite #178, La Mesa CA 91942

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

“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.”

DON’T BE AFRAID TO NOT CATCH FISH

Posted in airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, Tailhunter International, techniques, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged accommodations, activities, amberjack, bahia, baja, baja editor, baja sur, bars, bay, beach, Bill Boyce, billfish, blogs, blue water, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, catch and release, Central Washington Sportsmans show, cerralvo, certified scale, charter, children, chubasco, costa baja, day tour, deep sea, del mar fairgrounds, discount, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tour, el sargento, espirito santo, extreme fishing, family, fish, fishing and boating shows, fishing and hunting shows, fishing sportfishing, flyfishing, fred hall, free dive, get-away, girls, grey whales, grouper, guide, guide service, holiday, hotel, hotel marina, hotel perla, hotel seven crown, hunting, idaho sportsman’s show, igfa, images, inshore, International Game Fish Association, international sportsmans expo, ise, isla, island, jack crevalle, jillene roldan, jilly roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, lodging, los barriles, mahi mahi, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos, northwest sportsmans show, offshore, outfitter, pack for a purpose, package, panga, panga slam, pargo, photos, pompano, portland expo center, Puyallup Fairgrounds, reef fish, reports, restaurants, rockfish, rooster fish, rooster fish foundation, sailfish, saltwater, san jose del cabo, scuba, sea bass, sea of cortez, sealions, shuttle, sierra, snapper, snorkel, spearfish, suenos, swim, tackle, Tailhunter International, tailhunter restaurant bar, techniques, tips, tour, tourism, travel, trolling, tuna, tuna jackpot tournament, updates, vacation, video, wahoo, Washington Sportsmans Show, weather, western outdoor news, WFN, whale watching, whales, whaleshark, wife, women, World Fishing Network, yellowtail on September 28, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Trying something different could often be the difference and the fish of a liftime like Kit Luu who rocked this big wahoo using a lure that no one else was using.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO NOT CATCH FISH

Originally Published in Western Outdoor News the Week of Sept. 29, 2015

“How can I be a better fisherman?”

I get asked all the time. What’s the secret? What do I need to do? How can I catch more fish?

The obvious answer of course is, “Go fishing!”

The more the better. You won’t get better watching fishing shows at 6 a.m. sitting on your living room couch with a bear claw, cup of coffee and your bathroom slippers. Like anything else. Put in the time.

Of course, everyone wants to catch fish. I’ve been fishing all my life and probably fish more in a year than most anglers will fish in a lifetime. I’ve run a fishing operation for 20 years.

And I still have so much to learn! There is not a day on the water that I don’t learn something new.

I consider myself more than above-average-for a fishermen. Just a tetch. On a good day. And some days are better than others.

However…the fish has a brain the size of the tip of my finger. With all my fancy gadgets, hi-tech wizardry and supposedly big evolved-brain (my wife laughs!)…the fish usually get the better of me.

The day that every cast to every kind of fish…produces a strike …every time. And it happens all the time in any waters or conditions, is the day I will know I’ve mastered the art.

That’s not likely to happen.

But, that’s what makes fishing fun. There are so many variables that go into making that fish open it’s mouth. And there’s a completely different art to getting the fish to the boat once he’s on the hook too!

It’s actually the guy who tells me he’s “hardcore” and acts like he knows everything that gets me the most nervous. They are usually in for the biggest let-down if the fishing isn’t up-to-par. And also the biggest subsequent meltdown and tantrum-thrower as well.

Obviously, it’s never HIS fault. Plenty of blame. It’s the bad captain. The bad outfitter. Bad boat. Bad moon. Bad bait. Never just “bad luck.”

Look. Everyone wants to catch fish. That’s the whole point. That’s why we go on these vacations. To catch fish.

But, if you want to get better…if you want to take it to the next level…if you really want to be the guy they say, “Man, that dude (or gal) is the hot stick…”

Step outside the box.

Sure, you can do what everyone else is doing. And you’ll catch fish. And you might get better at however it is everyone else is catching fish. But, to get really better, take a chance.

Catch a fish or two. Then do something different. If the bite is wide open is a perfect time to try something different.

If everyone is using bait…heck…anyone can catch fish on a live bait. Try switching to iron. Or a a rubber swim bait. Or a top-water popper. Something that no one else is using. Or that you have never tried before.

You would be surprised how often the guy trying something different gets the biggest fish. Ask guys who throw iron!

Go to lighter tackle. Or, walk on the wild side and whip out a flyrod or really hit the edge and use fresh water gear like a bass rod, spinning rod, flipping stick or noodle rod.

Or ask your captain or guide to fish for a fish species that no one else is catching. What’s the worse that can happen?

You may NOT get it right the first time. But, you have to take the chance.

Don’t be afraid of NOT catching a fish.

Whatever you’re doing might not work. Throwing iron or a lure for the first time, might feel awkward and dangit, you hate those time-wasting backlashes. You might feel weird being the only one not hooting or hollering like the other amigos who are bent on fish. They might look at you like you’re a kook.

But resist the temptation. Keep at it. If something isn’t working, tie on something else.

If everyone is fishing the surface, go deep. If everyone is deep, try something on top. Work that water column. Different fish feed at different depths! Everyone using blue and white lures? Drop down the pink lure for grins and giggles.

I had a friend who was a dynamite rock guitarist. He played with Sammy Hagar and some big stars at Cabo Wabo in Cabo San Lucas. He was quite the star down here.

But, he told me he never got better until he tried a little country…a little jazz…learned some blues…dabbled in finger-playing on an acoustic guitar.

He said it was hard at first sounding like a cherry newbie. But, it made him a better guitarist and a better musician. It gave him new perspectives and appreciation. It also got him more gigs because he was now more versatile.

Fishing can be like that too.

Don’t be afraid of the sour notes. Don’t be afraid to not get bent. Don’t be afraid to grab something different out’ve your tackle box and open up all kinds of new possibilities.

You’ll get better. Guarantee it.

That’s my story!

_______________

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

U.S. Office: 8030 La Mesa, Suite #178, La Mesa CA 91942

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

“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.”

“THE SUN IS NOT YOUR FRIEND”

Posted in airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, Tailhunter International, techniques, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged accommodations, activities, amberjack, bahia, baja, baja editor, baja sur, bars, bay, beach, Bill Boyce, billfish, blogs, blue water, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, catch and release, Central Washington Sportsmans show, cerralvo, certified scale, charter, children, chubasco, costa baja, day tour, deep sea, dehydration, del mar fairgrounds, discount, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tour, el sargento, espirito santo, extreme fishing, family, fish, fishing and boating shows, fishing and hunting shows, fishing sportfishing, flyfishing, fred hall, free dive, get-away, girls, grey whales, grouper, guide, guide service, health, heatstroke, holiday, hotel, hotel marina, hotel perla, hotel seven crown, hunting, idaho sportsman’s show, igfa, images, inshore, International Game Fish Association, international sportsmans expo, ise, isla, island, jack crevalle, jillene roldan, jilly roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, lodging, los barriles, mahi mahi, marlin, medicine, mexican, mexico, muertos, northwest sportsmans show, offshore, outfitter, pack for a purpose, package, panga, panga slam, pargo, photos, pompano, portland expo center, Puyallup Fairgrounds, reef fish, reports, restaurants, rockfish, rooster fish, rooster fish foundation, sailfish, saltwater, san jose del cabo, scuba, sea bass, sea of cortez, sealions, shuttle, sierra, snapper, snorkel, spearfish, suenos, sunburn, sunstroke, swim, tackle, Tailhunter International, tailhunter restaurant bar, techniques, tips, tour, tourism, travel, trolling, tuna, tuna jackpot tournament, updates, vacation, video, wahoo, Washington Sportsmans Show, weather, western outdoor news, WFN, whale watching, whales, whaleshark, wife, women, World Fishing Network, yellowtail on September 13, 2015| Leave a Comment »

THE SUN IS NOT YOUR FRIEND

Originally Published in Western Outdoor News the Week of September 17, 2015

This is your yearly public service announcement about the sun because the last memo was too long ago. Also, I’m tired of trying to convince fishing clients here this year that they:

Don’t have the flu from some “bug on the airplane.”
Don’t have food poisoning from the “fish tacos” at a street vendor
Drank bad “Mexican water” brushing their teeth at the hotel
It wasn’t the “extra powerful” tequila shot at dinner

Whether you call it “heatstroke,” “heat exhaustion” or “sunstroke,” it’s all the same and it disguises itself well. Especially in a country where there are so many other stereotypical culprits to be blamed from the food, to water, to contaminated dust to bad tequila, it’s an easy and common mistake. (Not to be confused with “too much tequila.” Big difference but same effect. )

More hangovers, headaches, chills, sweats, bad tummies, Montezuma’s revenges, muscle cramps and other maladies have been blamed on “Mexico being Mexico” than the real bad guy.

And he’s one of the reasons so many flock to Baja!

It’s Senor Sol. Mr. Sunshine. Yes, that yellow orb and object of worship in the sky. The focus of suntans and daydreams. Afterall, what would Mexico be without it’s sun as a giant magnet of tourism?

But, when not respected, the sun is not your friend.

At the minimum many folks are at least conscious of using sunscreen to protect their skin. That much is ingrained in our social psyche.

But, if you don’t use it correctly by re-applying it during the day, it won’t work. If you don’t put it on the tops of your ears…the tops of your feet…the tops or your exposed thighs…you’ll pay in pain later. Your back, arms and face are just a start and you probably shouldn’t be out there fishing without a shirt anyway. That blazing red skin is a very real burn just like if you had been touched by a flame.

I see long-time residents here in La Paz who have had too much sun. I’ve seen their leathery skin that looks like my old baseball glove or seen the skin lesions where melanoma has popped up. It’s not pretty.

But beyond the obvious burn factor, there’s the heat. And to so many coming down to enjoy the Baja, that heat is a the sneaky bad guy. Even during recent months when the sun hasn’t always been shining because of overcast, the heat is still capable of doing damage.

And it’s not so obvious as simply turning red like a sunburn.

Even on the overcast days, the sun is beating behind those clouds. It’s producing humidity from those clouds as well as huge amounts of evaporation from the ocean.

For example a few weeks ago, we had a day that was a “manageable” 101 degrees here in La Paz. Seemingly no big whoop.

But, with the actual heat index measured with the humidity, it was 127 degrees…in the shade! It’s similar to cold and adding in the wind chill. There’s temperature. And there’s the REAL temperature!

Maybe because it has been an El Nino year and we haven’t seen as much sun as normal, I’m seeing more anglers not wearing hats. Not wearing sunscreen. Taking off their shirts. Not drinking enough water.

We encourage water intake contantly. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Don’t measure water intake by how much you pee.

The heat is drawing moisture from your body with every breath. You’re sweating out a lot too. Losing salt and electrolytes. If you’re fighting fish or involved in other activities from snorkeling to kayaking and zip-lining to camel rides, you’re losing fluids.

Hate to break it to you, but alcohol does not count as “hydration.” If you are drinking, take it easy. Drink water in between the cervezas or margaritas.

On top of it, the food in Mexico is high in sodium (salt). Hey…that’s one reason it tastes so good! But, from salsa to chips, everything is salty. Carne asada, shrimp, guacamole…it’s all laden with salt let alone that delicious rim of your margarita! Push that through with more water.

Obviously, stay as cool as possible. Stay in the shade as much as possible. Don’t be a knucklehead and ruin your vacation.

I understand. Sometimes you’re just having too much fun and forget the common sense. It happens. But, at best it can ruin your vacation. At worst, you could end up hospitalized.

We had one client several weeks ago who insisted he didn’t need a hat and only drank alcohol for two days. He was having a blast catching fish. Exerting himself in the sun. We ended up sending him to the doctor for dehydration when he got the shakes and turned stone-white and clammy and started throwing up. He missed a day of fishing too. That wasn’t worth it.

It’s not the first time, someone didn’t listen to us or their bodies or common sense. The problem is that most folks don’t realize it until AFTER the FACT.

It’s when they’re done with fishing or swimming. It hits when they are sitting down to dinner or relaxing by the pool (and still drinking cocktails and sitting in the sun) that their body starts reacting. This delayed reaction is a big reason folks blame bad food or a bug or bad water. “Must be that ceviche I ate.”

If it does start happening. . . Get cool. Stay cool. Stop exerting yourself. Drink liquids. Replenish potassium and nutrients with Gatorade or Pedilite or similar. The gentler the better. I like Pedilite myself. It’s the stuff they give kids and babies who have the runs. Less sugar in it.

If you can eat, be gentle. Most restaurants have a consommé (chicken broth) or somesuch that you can add some rice or crackers to. If you’ve got a charter master or someone handling you there and in charge, let them know.

Take it easy and you’ll be up and about again in no time, ready jump back into it!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

_______________

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

U.S. Office: 8030 La Mesa, Suite #178, La Mesa CA 91942

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

“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.”

GUESS WHO MIGHT NOT BE COMING TO DINNER?

Posted in airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, Tailhunter International, techniques, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged accommodations, activities, amberjack, bahia, baja, baja editor, baja sur, bars, bay, beach, Bill Boyce, billfish, blogs, blue water, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, catch and release, Central Washington Sportsmans show, cerralvo, certified scale, charter, children, chubasco, costa baja, day tour, deep sea, del mar fairgrounds, discount, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tour, el sargento, espirito santo, extreme fishing, family, fish, fishing and boating shows, fishing and hunting shows, fishing sportfishing, flyfishing, fred hall, free dive, get-away, girls, grey whales, grouper, guide, guide service, holiday, hotel, hotel marina, hotel perla, hotel seven crown, hunting, idaho sportsman’s show, igfa, images, inshore, International Game Fish Association, international sportsmans expo, ise, isla, island, jack crevalle, jillene roldan, jilly roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, lodging, los barriles, mahi mahi, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos, northwest sportsmans show, offshore, outfitter, pack for a purpose, package, panga, panga slam, pargo, photos, pompano, portland expo center, Puyallup Fairgrounds, reef fish, reports, restaurants, rockfish, rooster fish, rooster fish foundation, sailfish, saltwater, san jose del cabo, scuba, sea bass, sea of cortez, sealions, shuttle, sierra, snapper, snorkel, spearfish, suenos, swim, tackle, Tailhunter International, tailhunter restaurant bar, techniques, tips, tour, tourism, travel, trolling, tuna, tuna jackpot tournament, updates, vacation, video, wahoo, Washington Sportsmans Show, weather, western outdoor news, WFN, whale watching, whales, whaleshark, wife, women, World Fishing Network, yellowtail on August 31, 2015| Leave a Comment »

GUESS WHO MIGHT NOT BE COMING TO DINNER?

Originally Published the Week of September 3, 2015 in Western Outdoor News

You more likely know them as “mahi-mahi” (the strong ones) which is what the Hawaiians named them. Down here in Mexico, we call them “dorado” (the golden ones). On the East Coast they call them “dolphinfish” (go figure…it just confuses everyone. No, they are NOT Flipper).

Whatever you call them, they might become harder to find on fresh fish menus in the coming future.

A few weeks ago, the Presidential Task Force on Illegal Unreported Unregistered Pirate Fishing (IUU) along with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) determined the dorado are now an “at risk species.”

Consequently, they are recommending that illegal fishing operations in Mexico should no longer be allowed to export catches of dorado into the lucrative seafood markets in the U.S. Increasingly, in alarming numbers, more and more dorado fillets are getting shipped north.

According to statistics, in 2013 alone almost 8000 tons of dorado were commercially imported. That’s almost twice as much as was imported ten years earlier in 2003.

The glitch is that along with marlin, sailfish, roosterfish and swordfish, dorado are already illegal to commercially fish in Mexico. Mexico recognizes that these fish are important for tourism and reserves these species for sportfishing only.

Despite the law, all of those species have declined dramatically to the point of depletion in some areas. I guess “recognition” is not quite the same as “enforcement.” Obviously, if 7000 tons is making it north of the border, and into markets and menus, someone’s not checking the catches very carefully.

The double whammy is that these species are most efficiently caught on long lines. Long lines are lethal to the sportfish, but these are the self-same deadly lines that also ensnare turtles, dolphin (the Flipper types), whales and other species.

Dorado are especially susceptible. I hate to call any species “stupid” but if you’ve ever been in the middle of a wide-open dorado bite, they bite with such voracity and abandon that it’s hard to find a word.

So, I use the word “stupid” respectfully and as a sportsman. When enticed and hungry, they will go after lures, feathers, live baits, jigs, dead bait…even bare hooks!

I’ve had them go after a piece of tortilla. I’ve had them boil on a baloney sandwich. When they are “on the chew” they’ll fight each other to get to the food source.

That makes them an easy mark.

I’ve had days when I’ve caught (and released) over 100 dorado in just a few hours. Imagine if it were perfectly legal to commercially fish for dorado. How long would it take a fleet of 20 or 30 commercial pangas to decimate the fish population in a given area?

Dorado are amazing fish. Despite all the advertisments you see showing billfish as the “glamour” fish of Baja, in truth, the fish that brings the most action and produces more catches are dorado. Not everyone catches a billfish. But anyone can catch and dorado. And another…and another!

Dorado only live about 4 years. But they grow amazingly fast. A four-year-old-fish is 30-40 pounds. They’re born…they eat…they mate and mate and mate…they die.

They can reproduce when they’re only about 4-5 months old and 18-24 inches long and a female can drop thousands of eggs several times a year. They’re a wonderful renewable resource for fishermen. The resulting revenue they generate by the fishermen for the Mexican economy is measured in the millions of dollars if you add up charters, gas, food, hotels and more.

If tons of fish are being caught illegally and indiscriminately, dorado aren’t long for Mexican waters. Hence banning them from shipping into the U.S. along with stringent enforcement is a win-win for everyone.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

_______________

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

U.S. Office: 8030 La Mesa, Suite #178, La Mesa CA 91942

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

“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.”

“Not Another T-Shirt!”

Posted in airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, Tailhunter International, techniques, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged accommodations, activities, amberjack, bahia, baja, baja editor, baja sur, bars, bay, beach, billfish, blogs, blue water, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, catch and release, Central Washington Sportsmans show, cerralvo, certified scale, charter, children, chubasco, costa baja, day tour, deep sea, del mar fairgrounds, discount, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tour, el sargento, espirito santo, extreme fishing, family, fish, fishing and boating shows, fishing and hunting shows, fishing sportfishing, flyfishing, fred hall, free dive, get-away, girls, grey whales, grouper, guide, guide service, holiday, hotel, hotel marina, hotel perla, hotel seven crown, hunting, idaho sportsman’s show, igfa, images, inshore, International Game Fish Association, international sportsmans expo, ise, isla, island, jack crevalle, jillene roldan, jilly roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, lodging, los barriles, mahi mahi, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos, northwest sportsmans show, offshore, outfitter, pack for a purpose, package, panga, panga slam, pargo, photos, pompano, portland expo center, Puyallup Fairgrounds, reef fish, reports, restaurants, rockfish, rooster fish, rooster fish foundation, sailfish, saltwater, san jose del cabo, scuba, sea bass, sea of cortez, sealions, shuttle, sierra, snapper, snorkel, spearfish, suenos, swim, tackle, Tailhunter International, tailhunter restaurant bar, techniques, tips, tour, tourism, travel, trolling, tuna, tuna jackpot tournament, updates, vacation, video, wahoo, Washington Sportsmans Show, weather, western outdoor news, whale watching, whales, whaleshark, wife, women, yellowtail on August 16, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Next time you’re in a rush to find some gifts to take home…fresh vanilla…salsas…raw cinnamon…real tortillas…tequila!

NOT ANOTHER T-SHIRT!

Originally Published the Week of Aug. 18, 2015 in Western Outdoor News

You’re just about headed home after a great fishing trip. It’s been good. Fishing is done. You’re kicking back and chilling now. Dang, you’re not ready to go home yet. Oh well.

You’ve been knocking back copious amounts of beer and nachos with the guys. And suddenly it hits you like ice water.

You remember you have a family!

And suddenly you struggle to wrap your brain around the thought, “Oh man, I better bring home some presents!”

And you curse yourself a bit because you feel like that time you forgot it was your anniversary until the day of your anniversary. So, you gotta scramble.

Red alert! Defcon 5!

You’re gonna get killed if you bring home another t-shirt for mom and the kids. And faux-turquoise jewelry from the guy on the beach isn’t gonna cut it either. Zero points.

Here’s some of my personal suggestions that are unique and relatively inexpensive.

SALSA

This is always a winner. Walk into any Mexican grocery store. Head to the spices aisle and you’ll find rows of salsas. Find some that you’ve never seen before back home. They come in all colors, sizes and degree of heat.

And they’re cheap. About 2 bucks a bottle. Some even less.

I would often buy a bunch at Christmas time. Take them back to the U.S. Tie a ribbon around tree or four bottles and ta-DA! Instant present!

TEQUILA

Forget the over-priced stuff you find at the airport. Find a place that has a good selection of tequilas or, better yet, an actual tequilaria (tequila store). Best prices are found at places AWAY from the tourist areas. Find a good bargain or look for a label you don’t see back home. Like wine, it doesn’t have to be expensive to be good.

VANILLA and CINNAMON

If you’ve got someone who loves the kitchen or loves to cook or mix things (even drinks!), Mexico has some of the world’s best vanilla and cinnamon.

Vanilla comes in dark bottles. It’s not the imitation stuff back home. This is the real juice and a little goes a long way.

Same with cinnamon. Fresh sticks of aromatic cinnamon…nothing like it.

Put some of these things in coffee…baking…mix with sauces…infuse your own vodka, tequila or rum. Use on ice cream. It’s not expensive and shows you actually put some thought into your shopping (right?).

MEXICAN CANDY

When I had a lot of younger nieces and nephews and neighborhood kids, it was too hard to find t-shirts or remember sizes. So, I would go to the Mexican market and find the bins of Mexican candies or candies that could NOT be bought in the U.S. Get a couple handfuls. It’s cheap and a lot cheaper than t-shirts!

I’d bring home zip lock bags of each kid and I was instantly their favorite uncle or neighbor. Their parents weren’t always happy with me, but hey…that’s what uncles are for. Uncles teach kids to pull fingers and make fart noises under their arms too!

CHEESE and HOMEMADE TORTILLAS

If you’re bringing home frozen fish in your ice chest, consider saving some room to stash some homemade Mexican ranch cheese or even better…real Mexican tortillas.

You KNOW you’ve been loving the tacos and nachos you’ve been eating. Everything tastes better in the incredible tortillas from Mexico. And they taste nothing like the tortillas back home which taste like cardboard!

That’s because they are made with…lard! Yup…the good stuff. And the better ones are made by hand in a tortillaria most likely by someone’s mom who’s been making them for decades. You don’t even need to butter them. They taste good right out’ve the package or off the stove!

Ask around, and there’s little hole-in-the-wall neighborhood tortilla shops everywhere. Any taxi driver can take you. Or, go to the larger markets which all have their own tortilla makers or have them delivered to their deli sections daily and are kept warm.

Flour tortillas travel better than corn. If you can, freeze them before travelling in a zip lock. If not, keep them cold stashed between your frozen fish until you get home.

Tortillas are CHEAP! You can get a kilo for about 2 bucks. I send some to friends in Montana where real Mexican tortillas are a rarity. They hoard the tortillas in their freezer and dole them out one-by-one only on special occasions!

Same with cheeses. Mexico has an incredible variety of cow and goat cheeses that are gaining in popularity around the world.

Find a market that has a deli. Ask for some queso fresco (white cheese almost like a moist bluecheese or buffalo mozzarella in consistency). Or ranch cheese or manchengo cheese. If you’re in a good store, you can find cheese that has bits of mushroom or chilis or cilantro mixed into it.

And again, like many of the other things on this list, not every expensive and all a big hit when you bring some home!

If all else fails, you can always buy a t-shirt at the airport. If you’re coming to Baja in the next few months, a lot of these make for great Christmas gifts.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

_______________

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

U.S. Office: 8030 La Mesa, Suite #178, La Mesa CA 91942

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

“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.”

“I Swear It’s Here Somewhere, Sir! “

Posted in airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, Tailhunter International, techniques, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged accommodations, activities, amberjack, bahia, baja, baja editor, baja sur, bars, bay, beach, billfish, blogs, blue water, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, catch and release, Central Washington Sportsmans show, cerralvo, certified scale, charter, children, chubasco, costa baja, day tour, deep sea, del mar fairgrounds, discount, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tour, el sargento, espirito santo, extreme fishing, family, fish, fishing and boating shows, fishing and hunting shows, fishing licenses, fishing sportfishing, flyfishing, fred hall, free dive, get-away, girls, grey whales, grouper, guide, guide service, holiday, hotel, hotel marina, hotel perla, hotel seven crown, hunting, idaho sportsman’s show, igfa, images, inshore, International Game Fish Association, international sportsmans expo, ise, isla, island, jack crevalle, jillene roldan, jilly roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, lodging, los barriles, mahi mahi, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos, northwest sportsmans show, offshore, outfitter, pack for a purpose, package, panga, panga slam, pargo, permits, photos, pompano, portland expo center, Puyallup Fairgrounds, reef fish, reports, restaurants, rockfish, rooster fish, rooster fish foundation, sailfish, saltwater, san jose del cabo, scuba, sea bass, sea of cortez, sealions, shuttle, sierra, snapper, snorkel, spearfish, suenos, swim, tackle, Tailhunter International, tailhunter restaurant bar, techniques, tips, tour, tourism, travel, trolling, tuna, tuna jackpot tournament, updates, vacation, video, wahoo, Washington Sportsmans Show, weather, western outdoor news, whale watching, whales, whaleshark, wife, women, yellowtail on August 1, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Don’t leave the docks without one. Don’t go home without one!

I SWEAR IT’S HERE SOMEWHERE, SIR!

Originally Published the Week of Aug. 4, 2015 in Western Outdoor News

In my slowly deteriorating memory, comedian Steve Martin had routine to that was 100% guaranteed failsafe if you’re ever dragged into court before a judge for not paying your taxes. You simply say,

“I’m sorry. I forgot!”

As a former attorney, I’ve actually seen attorneys and clients attempt to use the lame excuse. It was met with the expected level of enthusiasm and never garnered any sympathy.

However, here in Mexico, when fishing licenses are checked, I’ve seen it work to some degree. It all depends on the sincerity of the offender and the benevolence of the inspecting officer.

Stuff happens. They officers understand. You accidentally leave it in the hotel room; you get in too late to purchase one; it’s in your “other pants.” The charter operator charged you for one, but fraudulently or negligently, never gave you the actual paper (most often fraudulently). The inspectors have heard it all.

It’s going to get a bit tougher to “slide by” in the future.

Mexico recently announced that it’s going to strengthen it’s presence on the waters and cracking down on fishing and boating permits.

And there’s really little cause to gripe.

We’re visitors. The law is the law. You’re supposed to have a fishing license if you’re on a fishing boat. If you’re bringing your boat into Mexican waters, you’re supposed to have your paperwork in order as well.

We expect the same in the U.S. Have your paperwork in order or there are penalties and consequences. Simple. Sure, folks get away with it, but do you really want to be the one who gets caught? And what fun is it looking over your shoulder anyway when you’re supposed to be having fun?

Penalties can vary. They can turn your boat around and send you back to the beach (or back into U.S. waters). There can be fines.

I once saw an independent panga captain who didn’t have his paperwork and neither did his clients get sent back to the beach. The inspectors confiscated the panga. They confiscated all the fishing gear and the fish. The clients were stuck sitting on the beach trying to find a ride back to town. That was pretty extreme. But… Don’t let that be you.

The problem in the past, many times, is that most folks want to comply. However, there was so much confusion on how and where to do it.

There were several Mexican government websites that sold them, but the service was terrible. The site would crash. It would take money, but not print out the permits. It would get the dates wrong. It was disastrous.

Tackle stores sold them in S. California and in Mexico. But, not all of them carried them.

There were several reliable American websites that sold them.

Often, a charter operation would sell them. Or, in a worst case, charge clients for them; pocket the money and the clients would never receive a piece of paper.

According to the latest releases, the authorities will be more vigilant. The purpose is to make sure that sport-caught fish are caught legally. (There’s a lot of poaching out there).

Make sure you have that piece of paper on your person when you go fishing. Either get it online; from an authorized vendor or from your charter operation. Make sure that the name on your license matches your passport or other photo i.d.

By the same token, after you’re done fishing, don’t throw that license away. When you bring fish home, airport inspectors are now sometime checking that the fish you’re bringing home were caught legally as well. Showing them your fishing license will validate it.

If you do get stopped, be respectful. Same as you would with any officer. Yelling or having attitude won’t get you any points. They’re just doing their job and it’s a low-paying thankless job. The inspectors are not picking on you. They’re out checking permits on local boats as well.

Most of the inspectors I’ve run into or had conversations with are in-turn very respectful as well. Most will wish you a good day and send you off with a smile and a wave. Offering a bottle of cold water or soda is welcome too.

These have been the laws for a long time. Just now it’s going to be more strictly enforced. Don’t be surprised or let it ruin a vacation. Comply with the regulations and you’ll be fine.

If you need fishing licenses or want to check regulations, Mexico has recently updated their website and it really works well and very user-friendly (finally). Take a look: http://www.sportfishinginmexico.com/

Don’t be caught looking over your shoulder!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

_______________

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

U.S. Office: 8030 La Mesa, Suite #178, La Mesa CA 91942

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

“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.”

TWO CENTS WORTH

Posted in airlines, bahia de los muertos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged accommodations, activities, amberjack, bahia, baja, baja editor, baja sur, bars, bay, beach, billfish, blogs, blue water, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, catch and release, Central Washington Sportsmans show, cerralvo, certified scale, charity, charter, children, chubasco, costa baja, day tour, deep sea, del mar fairgrounds, discount, dog tooth, donations, dorado, east cape, eco tour, el sargento, espirito santo, extreme fishing, family, FANLAP, fish, fishing and boating shows, fishing and hunting shows, fishing sportfishing, flyfishing, fred hall, free dive, get-away, girls, grey whales, grouper, guide, guide service, holiday, hotel, hotel marina, hotel perla, hotel seven crown, hunting, idaho sportsman’s show, igfa, images, inshore, International Game Fish Association, international sportsmans expo, ise, isla, island, jack crevalle, jillene roldan, jilly roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, lodging, los barriles, mahi mahi, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos, northwest sportsmans show, offshore, outfitter, pack for a purpose, package, panga, panga slam, pargo, photos, pompano, portland expo center, Puyallup Fairgrounds, reef fish, reports, restaurants, rockfish, rooster fish, rooster fish foundation, sailfish, saltwater, san jose del cabo, school, school kids, scuba, sea bass, sea of cortez, sealions, shuttle, sierra, snapper, snorkel, spearfish, suenos, swim, tackle, Tailhunter International, tailhunter restaurant bar, techniques, tips, tour, tourism, travel, trolling, tuna, tuna jackpot tournament, updates, vacation, video, wahoo, Washington Sportsmans Show, weather, western outdoor news, whale watching, whales, whaleshark, wife, women, yellowtail on July 19, 2015| Leave a Comment »

TWO CENTS WORTH

Originally Published the Week of July 22, 2015 in Western Outdoor News

There was a time…

A penny bought you a piece of Bazooka Bubble Gum.

A nickel got you a pack of trading cards.

A dime was worth a comic book.

A buck was a month’s subscription to the daily newspaper…delivered to your doorstep.

Now…

A dollar isn’t even a good tip.

Five bucks won’t get you a gallon of gas

Twenty bucks in your nephew’s birthday card…you might as well have given him underwear.

A hundred dollars barely fills your gas tank

A few weeks ago, we had a small tournament here with our fishing fleet in La Paz. Not a big deal. But a fun deal!

After all, we have a bunch of pangas. But, we had a great time. It was sponsored by Western Outdoor News.

There was a small jackpot at the end. When I say, “small” no one was going to be able to buy a new condo with it or have to worry about getting an IRS audit. Our little soiree was not on the level of any Bisbee’s or Gold Cup event.

But, $600 bucks is $600 bucks, right?

The winner, Bill, got his prize and did two really cool things. He picked up everyone’s tab for the awards dinner.

Then, he simply donated the balance of more than $400 to us at Tailhunter for a scholarship fund my wife helps sponsor here in La Paz. Specifically, the money was donated to the FANLAP scholarship program which helps economically disadvantaged students.

I knew Jill had been working with this organization before. She admirably works with a lot of them. I can’t keep ‘em all straight. God bless her. And I was gratefully amazed at the wonderful gesture.

But, then I found out what $400 really gets you. It changes a life. It could be the difference between working in a taco stand and sweeping floors for life. Or something better…much better.

You see here in Mexico, most never get past 6^th grade. That’s all the schooling that’s guaranteed. Imagine how far your kid would get with a 6^th grade education. Many kids come from homes where the parents may not read or write either.

After 6^th grade, assuming they make it that far, a family has to decide if it can or will send a child further. It’s a big hardship.

Usually, a boy is chosen. He’s the potential future breadwinner. Girls, it is felt, will only get married and pregnant (not necessarily in that order), so the education isn’t warranted.

Four hundred dollars keeps a kid in school for a year. A whole entire year. It provides uniforms, shoes, food, school supplies, transportation from outlying areas and so much more. Four hundred bucks is what some American kids spend on an outfit or their gym clothes.

FANLAP started in 2005 with five scholarships and now does 20-30 a year. Totally non-profit. No high-paid executives or fancy buildings. No gala fundraisers. Everything to help a kid get a bit more of a future with opportunities.

In return, the kids must keep up their grades and perform community service such as cleaning or painting in the neighborhood; covering graffiti or tutoring other students. Win-win for everyone.

I’m not writing this to pimp the program, but rather to point out in a day-and-age, when it seems a kid “needs” $200 Air Jordans; a $100 cell phone; and $100 designer jeans just for the first day of school, there’s still some value in our “disposable income.”

In Mexico, four hundred bucks keeps a kid in school for a whole year!

And I’m also applauding the generous hearts. Bill’s gesture caused several other participants at our event to also slip Jill an envelope. Several of our clients, since then, heard what happened and have also given us donations. Another amigo, himself a retired educator, is in the process of setting up funding to take a youngster all the way through high school, and possibly college.

As one of them told me, “When I think about what I blow in Vegas in an evening or what I spend to take the family out for the evening… can keep a kid in school and change their future…yea…that makes a difference. That’s a good investment.”

It’s about value. And values. The important ones.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

_______________

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

U.S. Office: 8030 La Mesa, Suite #178, La Mesa CA 91942

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

“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.”

A CHANGE IS GONNA COME…MAYBE!

Posted in airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, Tailhunter International, techniques, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged accommodations, activities, amberjack, bahia, baja, baja editor, baja sur, bars, bay, beach, billfish, blogs, blue water, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, catch and release, Central Washington Sportsmans show, cerralvo, certified scale, charter, children, chubasco, costa baja, day tour, deep sea, del mar fairgrounds, discount, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tour, el sargento, espirito santo, extreme fishing, family, fish, fishing and boating shows, fishing and hunting shows, fishing sportfishing, flyfishing, fred hall, free dive, get-away, girls, grey whales, grouper, guide, guide service, holiday, hotel, hotel marina, hotel perla, hotel seven crown, hunting, idaho sportsman’s show, igfa, images, inshore, International Game Fish Association, international sportsmans expo, ise, isla, island, jack crevalle, jillene roldan, jilly roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, lodging, los barriles, mahi mahi, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos, northwest sportsmans show, offshore, outfitter, pack for a purpose, package, panga, panga slam, pargo, photos, pompano, portland expo center, Puyallup Fairgrounds, reef fish, reports, restaurants, rockfish, rooster fish, rooster fish foundation, sailfish, saltwater, san jose del cabo, scuba, sea bass, sea of cortez, sealions, shuttle, sierra, snapper, snorkel, spearfish, suenos, swim, tackle, Tailhunter International, tailhunter restaurant bar, techniques, tips, tour, tourism, travel, trolling, tuna, tuna jackpot tournament, updates, vacation, video, wahoo, Washington Sportsmans Show, weather, western outdoor news, whale watching, whales, whaleshark, wife, women, yellowtail on July 5, 2015| Leave a Comment »

When you do the same thing in the same place in the same way for a couple of decades almost every single day…and you’re successful…it can be hard to change what’s not broken!

A CHANGE IS GONNA COME…MAYBE

Originally Published the Week of July 7, 2015 in Western Outdoor News

I have been asked often enough that I guess I should post up a column and hopefully get the issue covered.

When fishing is good, no one seems to question the techniques of their captain.

Over a decade ago, I had a group fishing here with us in La Paz at Tailhunters. Fishing had been great. Until they showed up.

Fishing was spotty at best. It was just a funky group of days. It happens. Even in Baja. It’s fishing. Fortunately, it’s a not common.

But, that’s usually when the second-guessing comes in. Boo. Hiss.

“Why did we pick these dates?”

“ We should we have come a week earlier/ later?”

“We should have gone to (pick a different Baja city) instead of here.”

“I think these captains don’t know what they’re doing. They do it differently in (pick another Baja city). “

“The captain never tried something different. He was just lazy.”

Ouch! The last few sting a bit. It presumes incompetence from guys who have done nothing else their whole lives. Who have probably fished in no other area their whole lives. Who not only make their livings in these waters, but depend on these waters to feed their kids. You usually get pretty good or your kids go hungry.

The day that group left, another group came in. Fishing went ballistic. Our guys were heroes again. As the group toasted and posed for photos and whooped and hollered, I said to my head captain, “Isn’t it amazing how much our captains learned in 24 hours?” He laughed.

He said something to me that I’ve never forgotten.

He said, “When I first started fishing with gringos, if I catch fish, the gringos will call me a Mexican god. If I do not catch fish, I’m a G—damn Mexican.” He laughed.

I never forgot that.

I think it was Einstein, a pretty smart guy, who said something like, “Idiocy is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.”

Sometimes, it applies when clients say things like, “Why didn’t the captain try something different?” Basically, implying if the fish aren’t biting, why did he keep doing the same thing?

A lot of Baja captains have no idea what Einstein may or may not have said. Or even who Einstein is. Theory of what?

But, from what I’ve seen over my two decades here in Baja, most adhere to the adage, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it!”

I think what many fishermen forget is that, the method that may not be working now, was working yesterday. It worked last month. Last year. Ten years ago. For his daddy and probably his daddy’s daddy.

It may not be working AT THIS MOMENT but hell, it COULD work in the next 10 minutes! Let’s keep playing the odds. The system isn’t busted because no fish are biting…so far. But, it’s worked in the past and it will work in the future. Let’s stay with what usually works.

Kobe Bryant misses a few baskets, he keeps jacking up shots at the hoop. You don’t bench Hank Aaron because he strikes out a few times or tell him to “change your batting stance.” Peyton Manning won’t change his football grip because he threw two interceptions.

And so it goes. Often to the frustration of the client. But, only if it’s a slow day!

Remember, most of these guys running pangas and cruisers, have spent more days on the water in a month than most of us will spend our entire fishing careers. They’ll have caught more fish and seen more than you will ever see.

But, they are limited to what works. Slow to change from what has worked and slow to change to new ideas!

These guys have never fished anywhere else except their backyards. La Paz captains have no idea about fishing in Cabo and Cabo guys would probably have a hard time fishing in Loreto or Mulege.

They don’t read every fishing magazine. They don’t spend weekends at tackle stores or Bass Pro “hanging out” and fingering all the new toys. They don’t access social media and chat boards about the latest tips and techniques.

They don’t go to fishing shows or watch fishing videos. They don’t surf the internet reading fishing reports and they don’t read Facebook to see what their friends are catching down the coast.

So, they very likely don’t know about that new 4-speed reel you just brought down or the space age polymer line you have. Same with the “guaranteed-to-catch-fish lure everyone “must have” to fish Baja you bought at the fishing and hunting show in 6 assorted colors. Nor did they read the latest clinical tests that say tuna bite best 30-feet below the surface on a full moon.

They know what they know. And change moves glacially.

A perfect example. It took almost 10 years for my own captains to have faith in fluorocarbon line. They are still not sure why anyone needs braided line. They are leary of circle hooks!

We have two fleets that fish two different areas…La Paz and Las Arenas (Cerralvo Island). My captains are all related. The waters and species are the same.

One group fishes a little further north than the other but their operational areas do intersect. Surely, the fish don’t know or care! A dorado is a dorado. A marlin is a marlin!

But, my Las Arenas captains think my La Paz captains don’t know how to fish and vice versa. One group hates Rapalas and says only feathers work. The other group says only feathers work.

One set of captains insists on chumming the water with handfuls of bait (to keep the fish in an interested frenzy). The other group chums by tossing out one bait at a time (so the fish don’t get full and lose interest.).

Both sets of my captains are very successful. They have to be. Their incomes depend on it.

But, it will take more than me to convince them to make changes. And it will take more than one slow day or two to make them see differently. Nothing’s broke. Es la pesca! (It’s fishing!). Just keep doing the same thing a little harder until it works. Which it will!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

_______________

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

U.S. Office: 8030 La Mesa, Suite #178, La Mesa CA 91942

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

“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.”

TRIPPING ON TRAVEL INSURANCE?

Posted in airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricane, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storm, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, Tailhunter International, techniques, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged accommodations, activities, amberjack, bahia, baja, baja editor, baja sur, bars, bay, beach, billfish, blogs, blue water, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, catch and release, Central Washington Sportsmans show, cerralvo, certified scale, charter, children, chubasco, costa baja, day tour, deep sea, del mar fairgrounds, discount, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, eco tour, el sargento, espirito santo, extreme fishing, family, fish, fishing and boating shows, fishing and hunting shows, fishing sportfishing, flyfishing, fred hall, free dive, get-away, girls, grey whales, grouper, guide, guide service, holiday, hotel, hotel marina, hotel perla, hotel seven crown, hunting, hurricanes, idaho sportsman’s show, igfa, images, inshore, International Game Fish Association, international sportsmans expo, ise, isla, island, jack crevalle, jillene roldan, jilly roldan, Jonathan Roldan, kids, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, live bait, lodging, los barriles, mahi mahi, marlin, mexican, mexico, muertos, northwest sportsmans show, offshore, outfitter, pack for a purpose, package, panga, panga slam, pargo, photos, pompano, portland expo center, Puyallup Fairgrounds, reef fish, reports, restaurants, rockfish, rooster fish, rooster fish foundation, sailfish, saltwater, san jose del cabo, scuba, sea bass, sea of cortez, sealions, shuttle, sierra, snapper, snorkel, spearfish, storms, suenos, swim, tackle, Tailhunter International, tailhunter restaurant bar, techniques, tips, tour, tourism, travel, travel insurance, trolling, tuna, tuna jackpot tournament, updates, vacation, video, wahoo, Washington Sportsmans Show, weather, western outdoor news, whale watching, whales, whaleshark, wife, women, yellowtail on June 21, 2015| Leave a Comment »

TRIPPING ON TRAVEL INSURANCE?

Originally Published the Week of June 23, 2015 in Western Outdoor News

A lot of you are like me. You run through the airport from Point A to Point B. Run…run…run!

You got your boarding pass in hand. Your suitcase, tackle and rod tubes are in the “gentle hands” of baggage handlers. Depending on the time of day, you get to the gate and your most critical concern is getting to either Starbucks for your morning latte or to the nearest airport sportsbar to wrap your hands around something icy. Let vacation begin!

You pass all the usual airport hot spots.

Nope, don’t need See’s candy. Don’t need a magazine or novel. You don’t need a souvenier t-shirt either.

And you run by the booth that says “Travel Insurance.” You give it a glance but not a second thought.

That was me for years. I didn’t even know what it was. I didn’t really care either. What could possibly go wrong? It’s vacation for criminy-sakes!

But, after a zillion miles of travel…after working here in Baja for 2 decades and over 1000 fishing clients-a-year…regretfully, stuff does happen.

Honest, it’s rare! Don’t panic. You probably have a greater chance of getting in an accident on the way to the airport than something critical happening on vacation.

But, for the same reason, we all have car insurance and home insurance, you’re playing those slim odds. It’s better to have it and not need it…than to need it and not have it!

And, the longer I’m in this business, the more I see the value in it. Because stuff happens. Life happens.

I’ve seen medical emergencies like busted legs and fingers; Appendicitis; allergic reactions; heart problems; diabetic problems; heatstroke, hooks-in-fingers; inspect bites; slip-and-fall; etc.

Some are just accidents. No one’s fault. Some could have been prevented by the person or perhaps with just a little less alcohol consumption.

There are others like lost luggage; lost medications (or forgotten medications!) and then there’s canceled flights; missed flights: fender-benders and hotel problems (one hotel decided to go on strike several years ago and simply locked clients out of their rooms!).

And then there are the weather-related situations (“acts of God”) that simply happen. There are hurricanes or smaller weather-related situations that can cause part or entire vacation cancelations.

Last week there were two days when the Port Captain simply did not let any boats out of the marina because it was too rough. You just never know.

Last year, when devastating hurricane Odile that slammed into Baja with historic impact, many of the items in the list above were quite evident.

There are still folks waiting for refunds and credits and having to deal with that nightmare. Some inexpensive travel insurance can help alleviate much of that.

Living here in Baja, where facilities might not always be the best, I’ll tell you…we have medical insurance that covers us. Jill also purchased a policy whereby in the event of a serious catastrophy like storm or civil unrest, etc. and we’re sitting on our rooftop, they will basically send in the Seal Team 6 to evacuate us out.

While that might be a bit extreme for the majority, regular trip insurance is pretty economical. And it saves a lot of headaches.

Because, let me tell you…getting refunds from many operators in Mexico is non-existent or very difficult.

Many simply don’t offer any refunds. Some may take months. (Do you really want to spend all that frustrating time on long-distance calls and e-mails? How good is your conversational Spanish? ).

In extreme situations, it will probably cost you more to bring legal action even if your booking agent is American based, let alone trying to sue an operator in Mexico. Litigation in Mexico is a maze you don’t want to get into. Danger. Danger!

Airlines are big and handle things like this all the time, but you still may have to jump through hoops.

A major hotel chain like the Marriot or other international chains may give you some relief. They can be really great…or not.

Or they’ll tell you that you have to deal directly with the local hotel franchise in which case you better get ready for some anxiety time. You can pretty much forget it if you booked at Jose’s Cantina and Palapa Hotel. Good luck reaching Jose!

If you google “Trip Insurance” you’ll be surprised.

You can actually insure against all of these crisis pretty easily and even “doctor” the policy to cover only the things you need. You can individualize medical, luggage, transporation, activities, etc.

Or, you can simply get a comprehensive policy that covers everything!

Just for example, I found one online plan to cover a hypothetical trip to Mexico for one week from the U.S. I estimated the cost of the trip at $2000 ($400 for airlines and the rest for hotel, fishing, diving, etc.).

For $72, the policy included things like:

$2000 in trip cancelation / $2000 in trip interruption

Terrorism coverage

$500 baggage lost

$200 baggage delay

$150 for more than 6 hours travel delay up to $300

$10,000 medical ($50 deductible)

$500 dental (never know when that flare up happens or you crack a tooth on ice)

$50,000 medical evacuation

And, I could adjust any of those areas for paying a bit more or a bit less!

For $500, I almost hoped they lose my bag with Walmart brand underwear, socks and my toothbrush and toothpaste!

And there are many other plans as well from a myriad of insurance carriers. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of pain. Something to think about next time!

That’s my story!

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

U.S. Office: 8030 La Mesa, Suite #178, La Mesa CA 91942

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

“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.”

“STAY OR GO? “

Posted in airlines, aquaculture, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charity, charters, chubasco, circle hooks, Dehydration, donations, dorado, driving, east cape, ecotourism, el nino, el sargento, espirito santo, family, farm-raised, fish, fish farming, fish pens, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, green, Heat stroke, highway, history, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, hurricanes, ice chests, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, Living in Mexico, los barriles, luggage, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, missions, outfitters, pack for a purpose, packages, packing, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, passport, planning, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, saving money, Sea of Cortez, seafood, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, storms, suitcases, Sun stroke, sustainable, Tailhunter International, techniques, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, waterspouts, weather, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged amberjack, bahia, bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, baja, baja fishing, bay, billfish, blogs, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, catch and release, cerralvo, Cerralvo Island, charter, charters, children, chubascos, discount, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, el sargento, espirito santo, Espiritu Santo Island, expatriates in mexico, family, fish, Fishing, fishing charters, fishing reports, Fishing Techniques, flyfishing, freediving, gringos in mexico, guide, holiday, holidays, hurricanes, igfa, images, inshore, international, ise, isla, island, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, light tackle, Light Tackle Fishing, live bait, living in Mexico, los barriles, mahi mahi, marlin, mexican, mexican culture, mexican life, mexico, muertos, outfitter, outfitters, packages, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, reports, roosterfish, sailfish, san jose del cabo, scuba, sea of cortez, sierra, snapper, snorkel, spearfishing, sportfishing, suenos, tackle, tailhunter, Tailhunter International, techniques, tips, tours, travel, tuna, vacation, vacations, video, wahoo, western outdoor news, wife, women, yellowtail on June 7, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Looking ominous!

STAY OR GO?

Originally Published the Week of June 9, 2015 in Western Outdoor News

You’ve been looking forward to this Baja fishing vacation for ages. You’re all set. Baja is calling you. You can taste that frosty margarita and you’ve packed and re-packed your fishing gear a zillion times.

Checklist. Passport? Got it. Toothbrush? Check. Hat and camera? Roger. Extra socks. Are you kidding? Extra underwear? Hmmmm…nah…you’ll just rinse your shorts in the sink. Unnecessary clothes add weight that could be used for packing fish on the way home!

Even moreso, you’ve promised your boss, co-workers and your mother-in-law you’d bring them all some fish. However, the minute you walk out that door, you’re turning off your cell phone and e-mails.

You’re already humming Jimmy Buffet tunes.

And then, you hear the news. What? Oh no. A storm? A hurricane? Rain on MY vacation? No! No! No! Please oh please no!

It starts with a little blurb on CNN or the little rolling banner at the bottom of the TV screen. But, it’s a slow news day and now your evening news picks it up too. A dozen words of dread. You would swear they did it just to jab you.

“In other news, for you vacationers, there could be a big storm brewing a thousand miles south of Cabo San Lucas. And now back to Joe on the scene with his story about talking monkeys…”

And pretty soon, everyone on your Facebook page is telling you about it because, of course, they all know you’re headed to Baja! They start sending you graphic images of the weather map showing the tell-tale whirling cloud clusters. As if you didn’t know.

Your e-mail box is getting pinged as well. Well-meaning or envious friends are writing.

“Hey, duuuude, I think you’re screwed. Did you know that there’s this big storm…” Man, that’s not cool.”

Whoa…underwear is really bunching up. This can’t be happening. You’re trying to get some answers and the folks who booked you may or may not be responding. Your buddies are getting into panic mode as well. Rumors are flying.

“Man, I heard from a friend of a friend who was reading online that…”

“The word around town is that…”

This is snowballing. Badly. How do you calm your beating heart and reduce the pucker factor?

Well, keep trying to get in touch with your charter or hotel or booking agent, or whoever booked you. This is where it helps to have someone who actually lives where you are going. An agent who lives in Seattle might not be much help.

Remember that they have a vested interest in you coming down. No one likes handing back refunds. So, take their opinion with a grain of salt and accept it for what it is. The good ones will give you an honest assessment of the pros and cons so YOU can make an informed decision.

Get online and look up the weather forecast yourself! It seems like the most logical thing, but many folks don’t take that first step. There are websites a-plenty including the National Weather Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) and many others.

Even for those of us who live here, believe me. We don’t have mystic powers. We look at those services as well. That’s how we get our weather information. So go straight to the source. If you ask us, we’re often going to give you the same information you can see for yourself.

That doesn’t mean you should discount what your outfitter, captain or charter guy says. Sometimes, there’s a lot of value to having someone simply stick their head out the window and tell you if they see storm clouds or bright sunshine!

Your nightly news might have grabbed the story, but a storm 1000 miles away can do many things before it hits landfall. It could easily peter out. It could veer off. It could turn into a drizzle.

Don’t get worked up for no reason or without all the facts. Or for something that isn’t even a certainty.

Call your airlines. If they are flying in, chances are, it’s OK. But it’s just one more bit of fact to weigh-in.

Here in La Paz, we had something like 18 storm warnings last year in an El Nino season. Only a handful ever dropped rain on us although one of them was a doozy and became the historic hurricane named “Odile.”

As I write this, there’s a storm warning. “Blanca”is heading our way. Everyone is jumpy. The weather forecast changes by the hour. Angst runs high. The memory of what Odile did to us is still fresh.

It’s the 2^nd such storm in about that many weeks. The last one, “Andrea” got everyone worked up too.

When it “hit” us…there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Not a drop of rain. In 4 days, it went “poof!” Adios. Andrea did rain on someone’s parade way out in the Pacific, but not on Baja. We fished as usual.

With lower Baja so close to the equator, storms can just be part of life. It’s tropical. Storms blow through. With this current El Nino weather pattern, more storms than normal will be around.

Storms come up sometimes with zero notice and unleash for 15 minutes then disappear. It can be raining in one area, but 100 yards away no rain falls at all.

The weather forcast can show “rain”, but it rains in the mountains 20 miles away which are technically part of the city. In the city folks ar eating ice-cream cones with not a cloud in the sky.

That’s when simply asking someone to look out the window can be worth it’s weight in pesos.

Get all the facts. Make a good decision before you cancel your plans and have to tell your boss you’re not bringing him any fish.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

_______________

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

TAILHUNTER FISHING FLEET #1 Rated on Trip Advisor

TAILHUNTER RESTAURANT BAR #1 Rated in La Paz on Trip Advisor

Now follow us on FACEBOOK TOO

U.S. Office: 8030 La Mesa, Suite #178, La Mesa CA 91942

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

Phones:

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:

“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.”