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.”

“No Off-Road Means No Off-Road!

Posted in bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja fishing lures, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, camping, car, cerralvo, cerralvo island, charters, dorado, driving, east cape, el sargento, espirito santo, family, fish, Fishing, fishing blogs, fishing hooks, Fishing lures, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing tournaments, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, freediving, giant squid, Heat stroke, highway, holidays in mexico, humboldt squid, 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, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, outfitters, packages, packing fish, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, rental car, rentals, road trip, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Salt water lures, San Jose del Cabo, Sea of Cortez, sierra, spearfishing, sportfishing, squid fishing, Sun stroke, Tailhunter International, techniques, tourism, tours, transpeninsular highway, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Tuna jackpot, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, vacations, vehicle, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged aid, bahia, baja, baja sur, bay, blogs, bonito, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, cerralvo, charter, day trips, deep sea fishing, dog tooth, dorado, east cape, el sargento, emergency, espirito santo, family, fish, Fishing, flyfishing, freediving, girls, guides, highway, isla, island, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz, la ventana, las arenas, los barriles, mahi, mexican, mexico, muertos, outfitter, pargo, phone service, pompano, rentals, reports, road, roadservice, roosterfish, san jose del cabo, scuba, sea of cortez, sierra, snapper, snorkeling, spearfishing, sportfishing, suenos, tackle, Tailhunter International, techniques, tips, touring, tours, travel, trips, tuna, vacations, video, wahoo, wife on February 3, 2014| Leave a Comment »

There’s no Auto Club to call out here, amigo! Oh…and you say your cell phone doesn’t get a signal either?

“NO OFF ROAD MEANS NO OFF ROAD!”

Originally published the Week of February 5, 2014 in Western Outdoor News

It was time to put these two guys outta their misery. For about 30 minutes a group of my captains and I had watched two poor boobs trying to get their rental car out’ve the mud flats.

Standing on a little rise looking down about 100 yards to the flats, it was hard to suppress the laughs and high entertainment at the expense of the clown show in the sludge.

Earlier in the day, we had seen the small sedan up to it’s axles in the goo. Stuck. There looked to be some foot tracks leading away, but no one was around. We had pangas to put out and clients to attend to so we shrugged. None of our business.

But this afternoon, now that the fishing was done, the car was still there. And the occupants were back. And a group of my captains watching the comedic scene. Cervezas in hand. Arms crossed. Leaning against their pickup trucks. Grinning.

One guy was in the car revving for all it was worth. Mud shot skyward. The other guy was doing all he could to pry the car loose…from behind! It was like a blender exploding. Covered head to toe in layers of sludge.

Little bits of white poked out around his lower torso indicating that he was out there in his tidy-whitey-underwear getting shot-gun blasted by gobs of mud looking like he got dipped in chocolate goo! These guys had no clue. And we had no idea why he had taken his clothes off!

But it was getting late. We had to get home. Wives and kids were waiting. Good hearts prevailed and finally one of the captains said he couldn’t take it anymore. He and several other guys got their trucks and some rope and pulled the grateful guys outta the muck.

It’s not the first time. I’m sure it won’t be the last we give first aid to a rental car.

Car rentals in a foreign country can be quite an adventure. Most of it is great! Don’t get me wrong. We do it all the time in our own travels.

But, Mexico has it’s own caveats it’s good to keep in mind.

For one, the fine print that says, “Don’t take the car off-road” means “Hey, idiot, keep the car on the pavement!”

Mexico isn’t exactly known for having great streets to start. Sometimes it’s just as treacherous navigating the potholes as the Baja 1000, so don’t even think about trying to cross that patch of sand or salt marsh or stretch of solid-looking mud!

Especially in Baja, it doesn’t take much to suddenly find yourself in the middle of nowhere. I mean, that’s part of the beauty of Baja. Having broken down myself over the years, remember, there’s no Auto Club to call. Heck, your cell phone might not even work ‘en la frontera’ (in the frontier)!

So, don’t get caught like these guys trying to dig your car out in your underwear. Personally, in the days before cell phones, I once hiked over 30 miles to get help when my own car busted an axle. I could swear the buzzards were just waiting for me to give it up as their next road kill.

Here’s some tips when renting a car.

For one, rent from someplace that has a recognizable name. You get what you pay for. “Jose’s Beach Tours and Car Rental” is probably not what you’re looking for.

Secondly, ask if they have another office in the places you’re going to visit. For example, if you’re renting in Cabo San Lucas but you plan to drive to La Paz (100 miles away) or Loreto (another 5 hours) and you break down or lock your keys inside (you only get 1 key), there’s no one to help. You’ll have to wait for someone to come with assistance and that can take hours…or days. And you don’t get refunded for the days you can’t drive.

Very importantly, know what you’re getting charged for. So often, I hear clients get “great rates” but then when they return the car, they get surcharged to death for several hundred dollars more. Know how much the tax will be. Know about the insurance rates. Get it all in writing. Nothing leaves a bad taste after a great vacation like getting stuck with a big bill.

On that subject, if you’re in doubt about insurance, get it. Don’t drive without insurance! It’s not that expensive and heaven forbid you’re the one in a zillion drivers who gets in an accident.

Keep in mind, in Mexico, you are guilty until you prove your innocence! Repeat that 10 times! It’s not like the U.S. where your innocence is presumed. In Mexico, you are presumed GUILTY!

If you’re in a bender, most times the other guy will have NO insurance. Locals can’t afford it. He will say it’s YOUR fault. You will say it’s HIS fault. Of course.

Police have little recourse but to sort it out since technically you’re both GUILTY and you can both be detained at the police station until it’s ironed out. (See the part about making sure the rental agency has an office at the destination you’re visiting…you really don’t want to be waiting at the police station until someone shows up!).

The police aren’t bad guys. They’re not out to stick it to the gringo. They would do the same if it were two locals. It’s just the way the law is written. Deal with it or do your best to avoid it.

Finally, no matter what you think you may have rented, stay on the pavement!

Even if you rent a Jeep…believe me…it’s probably NOT 4-wheel-drive. I’ve yet to actually see a 4-wheel drive rental Jeep, but I see yahoos off-roading through the sand dunes and rocks all the time.

If you do take it off-road, look for me and my boys. We’ll be up on the hill laughing. Wear good underwear.

That’s our 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.”

“BAJA FAQ 2013”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, cabrilla, dorado, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tournaments, flyfishing, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, Leisure, Living in Mexico, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, sierra, Tailhunter International, Travel, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged advice, charter, culture, FAQ, fish, fishing instruction, fishing reports, fishing video, general questions, Joanthan Roldan, Leisure, light tackle, mexican, mexico, outfitter, panga, safety, sportfish, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, travel, vacation on February 11, 2013| Leave a Comment »

From January to March of each year for almost 20 years, we criss-cross the western U.S. promoting our fishing operation in La Paz and often become an impromptu clearing-house of many general questions about travel to Baja and Mexico in general.

“BAJA FAQ 2013”

Originally Published the Week of Feb. 13, 2013 in Western Outdoor News

As I’m writing this, we’re just wrapping up our 3rd day here at the Pacific Northwest Sportsmens Show here in Portland, Oregon. We’ve been on the road now for more than a month as we do our annual show-hopping promo tour across the country.

So far, we’ve done fishing/ hunting shows in Sacramento, Denver, Seattle before this one. Only 2 more months to go and about 12,000 more miles of driving.

As we stand here in our booth, promoting our La Paz fishing operation for 8, 10…12 hours a day, we talk to hundreds of people a show. We often hear many of the same questions. Year-after-year. Although the questions might be the same, very often the answers might change based on changing conditions in Baja.

I thought I’d share some of the most common questions. Some might seem pretty simple…or silly…or obvious…but as mentioned, sometimes answers might surprise you. Also, we get asked these questions ALOT so obviously, alot of folks don’t know these answers!

Q: Where is Baja, Mexico?

A: It’s the 1000 mile-long-peninsula extending from the border at San Diego/ Tijuana and going south to lands-end at Cabo San Lucas. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the West and is separated from the Mexican mainland to the east by the Sea of Cortez.

Q: Is it safe?

A: The VERY short answer. Yes. Mexico is a huge country. Generally as safe as most cities in the U.S. and in some respects even safer. Yes, there are serious problems, but much of that is only in certain areas and in border areas and tourists are not generally targeted anymore than tourists are targeted by crime in the U.S. In any given city, just like most U.S. cities, there are good and bad parts of town. Stay out’ve the bad parts.

Q: Is it OK to drive?

A: On any given day, there are thousands of tourists on Baja roads having un-eventful drives. Thousands cross the border daily and routinely. Observe the laws. Make sure you have insurance. Drive with care and common sense as you would anywhere.

Q: Can we buy property?

Yes, you can. Who do you think is buying all these parcels, condos, houses and lots along the beachfronts! Sometimes it seems that Americans are buying up all of Baja.

Q: Is it always good fishing?

A: Historically, Baja is one of the most famous fishing areas in the world. But…Baja is 1000 miles long. It has over 2000 miles of coastline. It has incredible fishing and over 700 identified species of fish in the Sea of Cortez. That being said, fishing is as different as the species, location and variables such as season, weather, current, bait, etc. Every places is not great 100% of the time. There’s such a thing as a bad day of fishing.

Q: Can we bring our fish home?

A: As long as you’re within limits and observe regulations, it would be a shame if you didn’t.

Q: Is the water safe to drink?

Most places very much so! But, like many places in the U.S., municipal water tastes bad. Everyone drinks bottled water which is readily available.

Q: Can we use American money?

A: In Baja, American dollars are very welcome, but with new banking laws, making it harder for Mexican vendors to change dollars into pesos, it makes it harder for the vendors to accept pesos…especially large denominations. Rarely, will a vendor turn down a payment in dollars…a sale is a sale! But increasingly, more can’t accept large denominations. So, it’s a good idea to use smaller bills or get pesos exchanged before you come over or at an exchange house. Many Mexican banks will not change dollars to pesos unless you have an account and, even then, only small amounts.

If you can avoid it, don’t use credit cards. But, many places won’t accept them because of high surcharges to the vendor.

Q: What happens if we need medical help or what happens if I have special medical needs?

If it’s your medication, bring what you need and extra dosage. Bring a copy of your prescription. If it’s emergency medical care, most large Baja cities actually have pretty good first response and emergency care. Enough to get you home after most emergencies so that your own doctor can treat you. Credit cards are usually welcome in lieu of insurance. Generally, emergency care is much cheaper also.

Q: What happens if we don’t speak Spanish

English is growing. Span-glish is universal, especially in the tourist areas. Keep it simple and eliminate slang and most folks will understand and everyone gets along just fine. But, everyone appreciates any attempt to speak Spanish!

Q: Do we need a passport?

Yes! Don’t wait until the last minute to get one.

Q: Can we still get prescription drugs there with no prescription?

Generally no. Not like in the old days. Generally speaking, if you need a prescription for it in the U.S., you’ll need it for most things in Mexico.

Q: How is it to retire there?

It’s one of the fastest and most sought-after places for gringos to retire and an excellent place to make dollars stretch with a high standard of living. You get more bang for the buck.

______________

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: 3319 White Cloud Drive, Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745

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:

DEAFENING SILENCE

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, cabrilla, dorado, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tournaments, flyfishing, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, sierra, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, yellowtail, tagged baja, charter, fish, Fishing, fishing reports, holiday, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, mexican, mexico, outfitter, Tailhunter International, travel, vacation, western outdoor news, western outdoor publications on January 28, 2013| Leave a Comment »

DEAFENING SILENCE

Originally Published in Western Outdoor News the Week of Jan. 31, 2013

Have you ever had something happen so quickly that you ask yourself, “Did that really happen?” You shake your head. You blink your eyes.

You look at others to see if they saw what you saw. Heard what you heard.

It can be as benign as seeing a shooting star across the evening horizon or a fish jump in the distance. Did you see that?

We’ve been on the road now for almost a month. We’re doing our annual “road tour” with our booth and flyers and DVD’s promoting and marketing our fishing operation as well as the City of La Paz in Baja where we’ve been at it now for some 20 years.

It’s a fun three-month rollicking drive of 15,000 miles back and forth across the western U.S. hitting a new fishing/ hunting show with all the hundreds of other vendors. Modern day “carnival workers and gypsies!”

On this particular day, we had just driven about 600 long miles. Through the snows and cold, we were tired and road-weary with at least 200 more to go before dark.

We pulled off the highway into a little faceless convenience store in a small town at the foot of a mountain range. We walked to the counter with a few items. The young clerk, stringy-haired under a wool hat and trying unsuccessfully to grow a whisp of a blonde beard, helped the folks in line ahead of us.

We moved up. We were looked at and ignored. The clerk went to someone else at the other end of the counter.

Then someone else. The clerk looked at us. Then helped someone else again.

We asked if we were going to get served. All we got was barely a look of annoyment by the clerk. And he went to help someone else.

My wife and I looked at each other. Eyebrows raised. She said, “Let’s go.” We left our items on the counter and walked out.

Jill was tight-lipped and had a slow simmer going on. Had that really happened?

I had that “funny feeling” again. It made me mad and saddened me at the same time. I wasn’t quite sure it had happened. My wife quietly confirmed that surely it had.

We climbed into our cargo van and drove off.

Several seasons ago, not far from this same town, we had pulled off the road for the evening after another long drive. We found a little hole-in-the-wall motel and dumped our gear.

We found an old brick and stone building in the historic part of town with a neon sign advertising “Famous Fried Chicken since 1962.” We parked and walked in.

It was more like a saloon. Tables full of folks having a good time. Clanking dishes and laughs. Cowboy rodeo photos all over the wall. Western memorabilia everywhere in the low light.

A good looking bar lined with beer taps and guys in John Deere hats and working-Stetsons. No Levis. This was a Wrangler jeans crowd. No posers here.

Scuffed Roper boots and workman steel-toed leathers on feet. Guys and gals in loose Pendletons and faded denim jackets. Frankly, we weren’t dressed much differently.

We bee-lined and deposited our tired selves in a a cozy-looking booth. Having lived in many rural areas, I loved a good cowboy bar. I’ve had some of my best meals in down-home places like that! Good buzz and vibe.

Only problem is…the place went rather quiet as we walked in. Perceptibly. I would swear even the volume of the juke box dropped a few notches. Maybe it was because we let in the cold rainy air from outside.

It picked up again a bit but as we waited for service, nothing happened. We sat. And we sat. No water. No menus. The waitress saw us. But nothing.

Jill said, “I have funny feeling about this place. “

My perceptive skills aren’t so articulated. I’m not paranoid. But, Jill’s got a better radar than me.

“I don’t think we’re wanted here.”

“Nah,” I responded. “You’re just imagining it.”

But I’ve been in a few dark bars in my time and now my own radar was humming. Senses ramped up a tetch like the hairs on my neck.

As we faced each other in the booth, I watched behind Jill’s back. She watched over mine.

People were watching us. Glances that were held a fraction too long before turning away. The waitress would cast an eye at us, but not make eye-contact. Other people were getting waited on. But not us.

Jill used to live in Mississippi. She went to Ole’ Miss University back-in-the-day and was the only Caucasion gal in an all-black sorority. Being from California, she didn’t think anything of it, but was warned by some debutantes that “ ‘proper’ girls just don’t do thing like that!”

So, she’s tuned a little better to this stuff than this Hawaiian-island boy who never ran into stuff like this before. But, I have spent some time in dark bars. I’ve seen trouble. This was different. It was eerie.

Too late to go anywhere else and (maybe stupidly trying to make a point), we finally got our waitress to come over and grudgingly take our order.

She delivered it wordlessly. And she never came back except to put a bill on the table. No queries about how it was or whether we wanted to order anything else.

We ate our fried chicken huddled over our plates while the eyes watched. We ate. Quickly, quietly and got out. Backing out actually.

With an ugly feeling we walked rapidly back to our van in the darkened street half looking over our shoulders. Expectantly. Anxiously.

I still wasn’t quite sure it had even happened, but we mentioned it to one of our colleagues. He’s American of Japanese ancestry from S. California and is a famous international outfitter and guide.

He said it was only our imagination, but he passed through the same town a few weeks later. Like us, he pulled over for the night after a long drive at a little motel.

He was told, “We’re full.” He pointed out that couldn’t be possible since the parking lot was almost empty. He was grudgingly given a key to the room. When he went to a coffee shop to eat, he encountered similar unspoken hostility.

Another colleague of ours is a famous Baja flyfishing guide. He passed through several months later a few towns over. He encountered similar resistance and quickly left the area. He’s of Japanese-American ancestry. Born in Hawaii. A three-tour decorated Vietnam war veteran. “I will never ever go back into that area,” he told me.

As I write this, it’s been five days since our incident at the convenience store, I still roll back the mental video tape. Trying to find a loophole. An escape. A way to convince myself that it didn’t happen.

Was I really refused service because of what I looked like? Was my wife refused service because she was with me? Or because we’re married? Because I’m brown and dark? I look Asian or Latino? She’s white with red hair? Really? Are you kidding me?

This isn’t the south. It’s not 1930…or 40…or even 1968.

As I lay in bed that evening many miles down the road…in another motel…in another town, I realized. It was Monday, January 21, 2013…Martin Luther King day. Ironic.

Silence can be deafening and I had trouble sleeping.

________________________

______________

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: 3319 White Cloud Drive, Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745

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.”

“Match-Ups”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Fishing, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, tagged baja, charter, fishing reports, fishing saltwater, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, light tackle, mexican, mexico, outfitters, panga, sea of cortez, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, vacations on October 8, 2012| Leave a Comment »

“MATCH -UPS!”

Originally Published in Western Outdoor News the Week of Oct. 9, 2012

If you’re a sports fan, you understand the concept of “match ups.”

You want to consolidate you strengths. You want YOUR strengths against your opponents’ weaknesses. Conversely, you want to hide or shelter your own weaknesses. Anaylsis of these matchups are essential to success.

Maybe your team has a height advantage but the other team is stronger. They are better in the shortstop or the linebacker positions or have an ace goalie. You have base-running; a faster point-guard or a quarterback who throws crisp tight short passes. Match ups. Accentuating your strengths over the other side’s deficiencies.

It’s like that in fishing too.

Like most things, I always guard against over-thinking some thing and becoming too fanatic, but some basic common sense things will help put some advantages your way and give you some edge.

You have several “opponents.”

First, of course, is the fish. Until that fish is on the hook, it has all the advantages. Speed, power, instinct…all those things that nature embedded in that little pea- brain. More often than not, that little pea-brain is more than enough to usually outsmart those of us that are supposedly higher up the food chain and endowed with more grey matter between the ears!

Even, once that fish is hooked, often the advantage still doesn’t necessarily tilt in the direction of the angler, although once the fish is hooked at least it’s “game on!”

Secondly, there’s your own physiology. I refer to your personal stat sheet. Your own endurance, power, stamina, intelligence, etc. These are the things that nature stuck you with. Everyone is different. Everyone has different levels and just because you have one or more attributes, doesn’t mean you have the others or have them in abundance.

The link between the fish and yourself is technology. Your equipment. Your gear. It’s where the matchups take place in fishing. The decisions you make regarding your “technology” is what can bring you success. It can equalize the deficiencies or, it could cost you the game!

Starting with basics. Taking care of yourself, especially in the harsh Baja sun and conditions would seem obvious, but I often have to remind clients to “bring water and drink water.” Beer does not count as hydration. (Sorry, amigos!). Bring a hat. Put on the sunscreen. Keep your shirt on unless you plan to turn a painful shade of lobster red.

I know it’s Mexico, party animals, but if you play long and hard at night, fishing the next day will also kick you in the backside. Common sense.

If you’re not running right. If you’re not ready to be in the game and stay in the game, at the very least, you’re not on top of your game for fishing. It’s not fun! At worst, you can end up with heatstroke, bad sunburn or worse.

The Baja sun and a day of fishing, while certainly relaxing, and better than sitting in traffic or at work, still takes a lot out of you. The hot dry air alone will zap you of energy and literally sucks moisture out of you.

Then, let’s take a specific look at your gear. Specifically, the rod, reel, and terminal tackle.

Is it right for what you’re fishing for? Is it right for how you fish? These are also part of “essential matchups.”

Like golf, one rod will not work in all situations. You don’t need an armload, but a select few rods and reels will usually cover most bases.

I see spinning reels on conventional rods and conventional reels on spinning rods. I see live bait rods used for trolling and heavy trolling rods and reels being used to fish with tiny live baits. I see jig sticks being used to troll and people trying to cast using short meat sticks meant for rock fishing..

I see kids and women and inexperienced anglers with gear that is far too heavy physically for them to handle, let alone have fun with. It’s too big when a fish bites and even just standing there holding it all day, the fatigue factor sets in. And it can stop being fun.

As much as it’s more economical to just buy gear “off the rack” at least go to a place that knows about fishing gear and get some real recommendations from a knowledgeable salesperson. Don’t fit yourself to your gear. Fit your gear to yourself!

On the terminal end…that’s the stuff that’s directly connected to the fish like line, hooks, lures, etc., this is the critical end.

The things on the end of the line are what will essentially determine the success or failure of your fishing trip.

When I worked in a tackle store many years ago, I sold a guy about 2 grand worth of gear for his first real long range fishing trip. He was very excited. Iasked him what hooks he’s like to add to the package.

“Oh, just give me the pack of 100 cheap ones. Those are as good as any,’ he said dismissively, almost as an afterthought.

I couldn’t believe it. I said, “You just spent 2 grand on gear. You’ve paid 4 grand for your trip and now you want to use a hook that’s worth 5 cents? That’s the part that’s connected to your fish of a lifetime!”

He got the idea!

If you’re fishing off the pier, that’s one thing. If you’re fishing for world class fish, that’s a different issue. You don’t have to buy the most expensive. Don’t bust the mortgage. But, you do get what you pay for and the cheapest can often cost you in the long run.

Match ups are key!

That’s our story…

Jonathan and Jill

Jonathan Roldan has been writing the Baja Column in Western Outdoor News since 2004. Along with his wife, Jill, they own and run the Tailhunter International Fishing Fleet in La Paz, Baja, Mexico www.tailhunter-international.com. They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is riplipboy@tailhunter-international.com or drop by the restaurant to say hi!

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

Website: www.tailhunter-international.com
U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Drive, Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745
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:
http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/pangapirate

“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.”

MOTHER’S DAY FAIL IN MEXCO

Posted in Baja Fishing, Baja Mexico Fishing, Fishing, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz Fishing, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, tagged baja, baja fishing, Baja Mexico, billfish, Cerralvo Island, charter, dia de las madres, dorado, Espiritu Santo Island, expatriates in mexico, Fishing, fishing charters, Fishing Techniques, fishing tricks, gringos in mexico, holidays in Mexico, jonathan, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, living in Mexico, marlin, mexican, mexican business, mexican culture, mexican life, mothers day, panga, Panga Fishing, roldan, sailfish, sea of cortez, sea of cortez fishing, tailhunter, Tailhunter International, tuna, vacations, western outdoor news, Women fishing on May 13, 2012| Leave a Comment »

To avoid a cultural faux pas FAIL, it’s important to remember which country you’re in! I forgot. HONEST!

MOTHER’S DAY FAIL!

Originally Published in Western Outdoor News the Week of May 16, 2012

I love sharing a bit of Mexican culture in these columns.

As I’m writing this, I realize I really screwed up. Have you ever forgotten an important day of the year? Like your anniversary? A birthday?

Well, I forgot that today (May 10^th) is Mother’s Day! Oops. Fail. Scramble to make phone calls…e-greeting cards…and other face-saving measures!

You see, in my brain, Mother’s day is always the 2^nd Sunday of May. That’s May 13^th in the U.S.

But here in Mexico, it’s May 10^th. Every year. Same date. It doesn’t matter if it’s on a Sunday, a Tuesday, a Thursday or the full moon. May 10^th is Mother’s Day and you’d better not forget it.

In Mexico, where culturally mom is the focus of pretty much everything, she is pretty much a saint. Where the concept of the centralized family and where generations often continue to live under the same roof or everyone lives within tortilla-tossing proximity to each other, moms, grandmoms, aunties, etc. are held in high esteem. And never so highly as on Mother’s Day.

(That’s why you NEVER EVER EVER call out a man’s mom. Those are fighting words and one of the highest insults. Don’t mess with a man’s mom in Mexico.)

Whereas Fathers Day barely draws a breeze, much of the country takes on a semi-holiday atmosphere. It’s pretty much a state holiday.

Mom’s don’t go to work or take long leisurely and sometimes elegant lunches much like the Sunday brunches seen in the U.S. Sons and family members stop working as well to enjoy the day with moms. Offices shut down. Stores close early. Kids sometimes play hookie and don’t go to school. (On Mom’s day, mom is not lifting a finger…that includes driving the kids to school!). Conversely, to keep the kids from taking the day off, many schools hold Mother’s Day pageants and recitals and invite moms to attend.

The whole country is on the same page, so it’s really not that big of a social impact. It’s like the day before Christmas or that last day of school before summer vacation. No one’s head is there. No one expects much efficiency anyway! Not much gets done.

Some families, especially the sons, go through some elaborate expressions of adoration. Huge bouquets of flower. Rooms of flowers! Sons will hire mariachi groups to sing outside mom’s window or all the sons will get together in the evening and serenade mom themselves accompanied by a boom box.

There will be incredible home parties either catered or home-cooked. Often, all the guys do the cooking so the moms can have the day off. In some homes where the mom does ALL the cooking every single meal and every single day, this might be the ONLY day of the year that the men cook or even approach the stove…sometimes to varying results!

Restaurants will have elegant brunches, lunches and dinners set out with Mothers’ Day specials and families will show up dressed in their jackets and ties, dresses and corsages as if headed for a grand social event…which is what Dia De Las Madres is in Mexico.

Historically, Dia de Las Madres was not always as we know it. In 1922, it was brought over from the U.S, but met with significant opposition from the conservative government who attempted to use the holiday to promote the unrealistic concept of women as no more than child bearers!

Over the next decade, the powers in Mexico debated the day as either being too “patriotic” or being “too religious” with all the connotations those labels involved. It got pretty heated and the Mexican political parties as well as the Church argued the current morals and values of the day such as empowering women, family values, country unity and basically whether women should be let out of the home! It wasn’t just a Hallmark thing!

It wasn’t until the 40’s…to be exact in 1940, Soledad Orozco Garcia, wife of President Manuel Avilla Camacho, declared 10th May a holiday, thus making it a state-sponsored celebration of mother’s day …and why I need to find some place that sells some quick Mothers’ Day Cards here in La Paz! Or a boombox with a microphone! I really messed up…

***********************

***************************

That’s our story

Jonathan and Jilly

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

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

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/pangapirate

“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 LONG AND DUSTY LINE

Posted in Baja Fishing, Baja Mexico Fishing, Fishing, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz Fishing, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, tagged baja, baja fishing, Baja Mexico, billfish, Cerralvo Island, charter, dorado, Espiritu Santo Island, expatriates in mexico, Fishing, fishing charters, Fishing Techniques, fishing tricks, gringos in mexico, holidays in Mexico, international, jonathan, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, Light Tackle Fishing, living in Mexico, marlin, mexican, mexican business, mexican culture, mexican life, mexican retirement, mexican vacations, mexico, mexico life, panga, Panga Fishing, roldan, sailfish, sea of cortez, sea of cortez fishing, tailhunter, Tailhunter International, tuna, vacations, western outdoor news, Women fishing on April 30, 2012| Leave a Comment »

The cathedral in La Paz. In the days before cranes and hydraulic lifts and electric screw drivers, someone had to be around to lift the massive stones and drag the enormous beams into place.

A LONG AND DUSTY LINE

Originally Published the Week of May 4, 2012 in Western Outdoor News

Having lived down here for quite sometime now, it always gives me pause to see how much of the country is reliant on manual labor. There’s nothing wrong with it.

I come from a long line of manual laborers who came over to Hawaii to work the pineapple and sugarcane fields or to Central Caliornia to pick tomatoes. Dad used to take me out to the fields to show me what it was like and tell me, “Stay in school so you don’t have to make your living hunched over in the sun.” As I grew up, I learned to even despise pulling weeds in the yard, let alone chopping sugar cane stock or packing tomato crates.

Here, in Mexico, unskilled labor is inexpensive and folks need the work. And there’s a lot of folks here.

For instance, after a rain storm, the “broom army” materializes. Using nothing more high-tech than garden-variety-kitchen brooms provided by the government, scores of folks hand sweeping the streets. No machines. Basic sweat-of-brow technology.

Along the highways, you may have seen them. Long lonely stretches of desert road. Sometimes there’s a line of them. Sometimes there’s one solitary guy that makes me wonder “Did you apply for this job?” “Are you being punished for this?” Are you low-man on the seniority list?”

But there he is. With a shovel. Dirty pants. Usually a soiled t-shirt sometimes pulled up and tucked under the chest so that their tummys are exposed. A kerchief wrapped around his faces to ward off the dust. Tennis shoes or old torn up work-boots that look like Hernando Cortez himself brought them over from Spain. A baseball hat of some type worn “Foreign Legion” style with a t-shirt tucked and hanging down the back.

No gloves. No supervisor. No support truck with an orange Igloo of water. No “roach-coach” catering truck nearby. No handy porta-potty close either. No warning cones or vests. Cars come dangerously close since Mexican roads have little or no shoulders. Cows might watch from the scrub. Probably wondering the same thing…”What the heck are you doing out here?”

But there they are, one shovel of dirt at a time. It’s hard to tell what the project is. Move dirt from here to there? Shovel the dust off the highway? Each car or breeze that passes only blows the dust right back. Can’t you just phone it in and say you did the job? Collect some pesos and go home? Who would know the difference?

Often you see “gangs” of these worker standing like sardines in a stakebed truck. Shoulder-to-shoulder. No sitting. Obviously, not union.

Day-after-day…same guys or just one guy. Same stretch of road. Heat numbing. Mind numbing.

Sometimes, I do see them nap under whatever shade a cactus or other scrub can give them. Nothing special. Lie down. Tilt hat over eyes. Siesta. Who keeps track of time?

What got me writing about this subject is a recent visit to the old mission here in La Paz. Visiting the historic sites that dot the California, Baja and Mexican landscape is one of my favorite things.

Whether it’s Mission San Gabriel or San Diego or Santa Barbara or the Baja missions in Loreto or San Ignacio or, as I said here in La Paz, I never tire of walking into them and spending a few moments. Or touching the old adobe or walking the paths and tiles.

There’s something about touching a bit of history. It’s not a re-creation like going to Universal Studios or Disneyland. This is the same water trough where the Spanish soldiers watered their horses. Here’s the breezeway between the rectory and the church where some padre’s sandaled feet used to walk 300 years ago. And here’s the cemetery that holds so many stories.

If you get a chance to visit or ever have. Be quite for a moment and sit still and the history will honestly talk to you!

But, the last time I was in, I was doing just that and it occurred to me. There’s A LOT of wood in here. Huge thick wooden beams criss-cross and support the massive ceilings. Massive wooden doors. Solid hard wood benches and the ornate altar and crucifix and so many other items.

Y’know, Mexico doesn’t exactly have a lot of trees.

And the huge bells and ornaments. The masterpiece stained glass windows and tile work.

They didn’t just hop down to Home Depot to get these in the 1600 and 1700’s.

I’m sure the Jesuit padres and the Spanish conquistadores did hard work, but I don’t envision, Sargeant Garcia and Friar Antonio making bricks or dragging huge chunks of lumber over the mountains. They didn’t dig those irrigation aquaducts for the fields or paint the mission ceilings either.

Nope…they were built by some every-day Joe and Mary. Born with a native name that was probably taken from them at their Christian baptismal and given names like Jose and Maria.

And these are the folks who did the work. Who busted their backs often in the name of the spirit of Christianity and the promise of eternal salvation. Only IF they learned to wear a pair of pants and help build the church. Toil the fields. Build a wagon road. Sweep up after the soldiers and padres.

They built quite an empire. Same folks are still working. Still toiling in that hot Baja sun. Willing to work. Needing to work. I look at the guys on the side of the road as we speed by and wonder if they come from that long dusty line of laboral history. One shovel at a time.

_____________

______________

That’s our 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

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

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/pangapirate

“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.”

“T.M.I” (Too Much Information)

Posted in Baja Fishing, Baja Mexico Fishing, Fishing, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz Fishing, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, tagged baja, baja fishing, Baja Mexico, billfish, Cerralvo Island, charter, dorado, Espiritu Santo Island, expatriates in mexico, Fishing, fishing charters, Fishing Techniques, fishing tricks, gringos in mexico, international, jonathan, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, Light Tackle Fishing, living in Mexico, mexican, mexican business, mexican culture, mexican life, mexican vacations, mexico, mexico life, panga, Panga Fishing, roldan, sea of cortez, sea of cortez fishing, tailhunter, Tailhunter International, tuna, vacations, western outdoor news on April 16, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Opening one screen leads to another and another. In the quest for information on the "information super highway" one is often subjected to frequent sig-alert traffic jams!

“T.M.I” (Too Much Information!)

Originally Published the Week of April 18, 2012 in Western Outdoor News

In the current lingo of the internet and texting, most teenagers can tell you what “TMI” means. “ Too much information.” More than I need.

When I got married a few years ago to Jilly, I wanted to surprise her for our honeymoon (no wise cracks, guys!). So I told her I was sagely going to handle the honeymoon arrangements especially after all the work she had done for the massive wedding. She rolled her eyes a bit and laughed. She had her hands full anyway and she gamely expressed confidence in my stellar organizational abilities. In all fairness, I could’ve set up a camping trip or a Motel 6 and she’s still would have gone along cheerfully.

What she didn’t know was that I was secretly going to extend our honeymoon for extra days. Some things she didn’t expect. Some things NOT in the budget… Some ritzy hotel! Spa! Restaurants! Only doing this once so might as well shoot for the moon. The credit card was empty at the time. (ha!)

So, I hit the internet. Now, this was only 3 years ago. The last time I booked a really big deal was back in the day when I reached into dad’s car and grabbed the Auto Club Catalog. Remember those? Dog-eared and coffee stained. It was the” bible” when you went on a family trip.

But because this was so special, I needed to know everything about everything. Bad move!

Before long, I had two laptops opened plus my desktop computer. I had multiple screens opened on each one…Trip Advisor….Yelp…Facebook…My Space…Yahoo…Google…

I had review after review. Link upon link. Photo libraries. Experts reviews. Some agreed. Many conflicted. Who had the best hotel? Ocean view? Spa? Restaurants nearby? Brunch? Room service?

Wait, that one looks good, but two other reviews said the place had bad service. But another 10 reviews say it’s great. This other hotel has ocean-views, but their restaurant has bad reviews and they say it’s noisy. This other one looks good, but it’s not walking distance to anything and they charge an extra 40 bucks to park which could have fooled me.

OK…this resort has a spa discount package but only on weekdays. That won’t work. This one has great rates…darnit…only during off-season. This one looks great! Call them now…”What? You’re already sold out???” (gnashing of teeth). Delete delete delete!

And the restaurants…OK…that one has 500 good reviews but 60 bad ones. This one has live music and great seafood, but it says don’t go on weekend because it has too many tourists in them. This other one is famous and has been there for years, but the last few reviews are terrible!

I was doing this all in the middle of the night too so that I could hide this from Jill. Before long, I was going crazy! Eyes were going buggy looking at so many websites and reviews and photos. INFORMATION OVERLOAD! TILT! TILT!

But, you know…it’s your honeymoon. You want everything “just right.” As it turned out, after 4 fretful nights, I finally just pulled the trigger and made my best-informed-decisions and all turned out well. My lovely bride was all smiles and I saved the fledgling marriage! She didn’t cut-and-run. Whew…

It used to be so easy for Baja as well.

In fact, the least amount of planning seemed to be the typical modus operendi. You called the guys. You got the station wagon or van. In went some clothes. In went the surfboards and fishing rods. A cooler. A copious amount of junk food procured from the first 7-11 on the road…Doritos…check…Jerky…check…Oreos…check…oops…run back in and get beer and Cokes. A box of cassettes or 8 tracks.

You had destination in mind. You headed sort of in THAT direction. Again…the Auto Club Map and book in the glove box. Maybe a copy of Gene Kira’s the “Baja Catch” on the dashboard and some faxed copies of the surf report.

You’d figure out the rest “on the fly.” Maybe you’d camp. Maybe all sleep in the car. Maybe all of you piled into some little Mexican beach motel.

It was THAT easy. You knew it would work itself out. The important thing was that you were GOING! Not where you were going so much as the thrill of knowing you were on a road trip together to the BAJA! You all piled out’ve work on Friday and picked all the buddies up along the way.

Nowadays, the information super-highway has, in many ways complicated things as much as made it easier.

There is so much out there, that it’s impossible to filter! Our own website must be 40 pages large, but that’s because it has to be large to compete with everyone else out there. It’s a necessary evil.

And it’s hard to de-code everything. It’s easy to hide that a certain hotel is 30 miles away from town or that another is actually built next to a cement plant. The photos always look GREAT on the internet.

Likewise, what does the word “rustic” mean when used to describe a hotel? That could mean charming Mexican artisan décor or it could mean the air-conditioning system is powered by two gerbils running in a wheel. Or “close to the beach?” How close is” close?” Walking distance. For who?

After all that, sometimes it’s just easier to ask someone who has been there. Assuming you truest their opinion. But often… Word-of –mouth sometimes trumps technology.

But, I miss the old days. Pass the Doritos and pop some Rolling Stones in the 8-track…

We’ll get there when we get there.

_____________________________

_______________________

That’s our story

Jonathan and Jilly

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

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

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/pangapirate

“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.”

“How Deep is ‘Deep Sea’ Fishing?

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Fishing, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tournaments, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican culture, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, tagged baja, baja fishing, Baja Mexico, billfish, Cerralvo Island, charter, dorado, Espiritu Santo Island, expatriates in mexico, Fishing, fishing charters, Fishing Techniques, fishing tricks, gringos in mexico, holidays in Mexico, international, jonathan, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, Light Tackle Fishing, living in Mexico, mexican, mexican business, mexican culture, mexican life, mexican retirement, mexican vacations, mexico, Mexico tourism, panga, Panga Fishing, roldan, sea of cortez, sea of cortez fishing, tailhunter, Tailhunter International, tuna, vacations, western outdoor news on March 31, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Nice people sometimes ask the craziest questions. It's hard to believe some of the funny and nutty questions and comments we get.

“HOW DEEP IS ‘DEEP SEA’ FISHING?”

Originally Published the Week of April 4, 2012, in Western Outdoor News

Every year, after we do all our promotional shows across the Western U.S., I like to compile some of the funny questions and comments I heard during the past 3 months. Folks approach our booth to talk and ask us questions and we literally see speak to hundreds of anglers and hunters at each show over the 4 or 5 day period. Over the years, there have been some doozies…

“What’s the best day of the week to catch a blue marlin?”

“How come everyone in Mexico speaks Spanish?”

“It’s called ‘Baja California’ but I can’t find Baja on a map of California!”

Stuff like that.

Sometimes we roll our eyes. Sometimes we have to ask the to repeat the question because we can’t believe what we just heard!

Sometimes, it’s awfully hard to choke back a laugh or be a wise-guy (more my nature) and fire back a quick smart-aleck response…especially after talking to hundreds of persons at each show and hearing so many questions over and over!

But, we’re professionals! Ha!

And we have to remind ourselves that these are truly and honestly sincere and generally intelligent folk. I’m just as guilty of not having my brain and mouth in synch. You be the judge! Sometimes, there’s just NO answer to some of these questions and comments!

Almost every conversation starts up with someone walking up to our counter and firing the opening line…

“Where you out’ve?” (even tho’ the words LA PAZ MEXICO are plastered all over the booth! )

And then it starts…

“Is that near Cancun?”

“Is that near Tijuana? I took a picture there once with a donkey painted up like a zebra!”

And this little exchange…

“You don’t look Mexican. Did you learn your English from missionaries?”

(“Sir, I’m actually from Hawaii,” I responded)

“Really? Are you selling fishing trips in Hawaii?”

“Do they speak Spanish in Hawaii?”

“So, in Hawaii, did you learn English from the missionaries?”

“Hey, do you know my friend in Cabo San Lucas? His name is Jose. He’s short like you with black hair and mustache. Everyone knows Jose!” (I’m sure he’s in my rolodex!)

“So, is fishing any good where you’re at?” (Nope…that’s why I’m selling fishing trips at a FISHING show and there’s pictures of FISH all over my booth!)

“I knew a guy once that got Montezuma’s revenge from drinking the water in Mexico. Will that happen to me? What will happen if I get Montezuma’s?”

“When do the salmon run in Baja? I hear you get some good ones and they’re not like the salmon in Alaska!” (I guess not!)

“I was told Mexican ranchers raise little goats so they can get cheese and breed with them and have babies. Is that true?” (Can you repeat that one more time again, Sir?)

“Can my wife walk across the border to Loreto to go shopping?” (Oh sure…if she can walk about 500 miles!)

“I heard you can’t drive an American car to Mexico because American speedometers show miles-per-hour and in Mexico they don’t have miles…only kilometers. Mexican cars have kilometers on their dashboards. So, Mexican cars cannot be driven in the U.S. either.” (Someone has been eating the brownies with the little green flecks in them again!)

“My wife doesn’t like the sun can she stay in the room the whole time?”

“Can I scuba dive without air tanks?”

“How deep is ‘deep sea’ fishing?”

“I’ve never fished in the ocean before. What happens when the fish pulls me out’ve the boat? Will sharks eat me? I watch “Shark Week” all the time on TV and I know what happens to people who get in the ocean.”

“I was in prison once and can’t get a passport. Will they still let me come fishing where you’re at?” (They might let you out of the U.S., but you’re gonna have a big problem trying to get back in!”)

“Last time we were in Mexico it was really windy! What can you do about the wind?” (Well, let me just wave my magic wand over the earth and sky for you!)

“Are you positive you’re not selling fishing trips to Hawaii?

By the time you read this, I’ll be home in La Paz! Thanks to everyone who came out to say hi to us over the last 3 months. WON readers are EVERYWHERE! There’s no such thing as a dumb question. But…You never know when you may end up as part of a story!

That’s our 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

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

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/pangapirate

“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.”

“CHANGES IN ATTITUDES REVISITED”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, Cabo San Lucas, Fishing, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tournaments, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, kids, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican culture, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, tuna tournament, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged baja, baja fishing, Baja Mexico, billfish, Cerralvo Island, charter, dorado, Espiritu Santo Island, expatriates in mexico, Fishing, fishing charters, Fishing Techniques, fishing tricks, gringos in mexico, holidays in Mexico, international, jonathan, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, Light Tackle Fishing, living in Mexico, mexican culture, mexican life, mexican retirement, mexican vacations, mexico, mexico life, panga, Panga Fishing, roldan, sea of cortez, sea of cortez fishing, tailhunter, Tailhunter International, vacations, western outdoor news, Women fishing on March 19, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Me and Jilly in our booth at the International Sportsman's Expo Salt Lake City UT. Just tryin' to sell smiles one fish at a time.

CHANGES IN ATTITUDES (“ARE YOU TALKING TO…ME?” REVISTED)

Originally Published the Week of March 23, 2012 in Western Outdoor News

So, here it is. As I’m writing this, we’ve been on the road 78 straight days now hitting all the major fishing/hunting shows…Denver, Sacramento, Portland, Vegas, Seattle, Long Beach…just to name a few. New show every week. 13,000 miles of driving and, by the time you’re reading this, we’ll be at our 11^th show at the Fred Hall Show in Del Mar near San Diego.

So, we see thousands of you all at these shows and many of you have asked about the experiences we had last year on our promotional tour. If you remember, last year, several times at every show we were actually accosted…mostly verbally…sometimes physically by knuckleheads telling us to:

“Go back to your country!”

“How did people like US get into the show?”

“Everyone of you effing people from Mexico should be killed…”

Y’know…lovely pleasantries like that. Every city. Every show. Not just the cities like Boise, Idaho or Billings, Montana either.

The worst were at the shows in Sacramento and Long Beach, California. Yup…you’d have thought folks in these hubs might be a bit more enlightened. So did we!

It’s a bit unsettling when a guy in an Izod polo shirt with a Tag Heuer watch and a wife looking like she just came from the spa grits his teeth, reaches across the counter at my booth and pokes his finger in my chest and hisses at me, “They oughta just nuke the whole stupid country.”

Well, we got hundreds of e-mails and letters about our experiences. Outrage. Embarrassment. Support. Most agreed that there’s some folks out there that just have their underwear on a little too tight. We didn’t take it too personally.

But after decades of doing shows and meeting the public, it seemed like the rage and frustration towards Mexico directly and us indirectly came out’ve left field.

So, what about 2012?

I don’t know what everyone was drinking or smoking in 2011, but it’s almost like someone someone threw the light switch the other way. Thankfully, we’ve had very few incidents this year.

In fact, just today while here at the Salt Lake City ISE show, someone did tell me, “I’m not going there to Mexico where they cut off everyone’s head!” He didn’t stop at our booth to say more or have a discussion. He said it loud enough for others to hear and his buddies to laugh. But that was it

We’ve had maybe only half-a-dozen actual heated exchanges. And they were quickly dissipated. Either we got the person to walk away. (No loss…anyone that tight will never visit Mexico anyway so why waste the energy!)

Or, in two or three situations, the angry person unknowingly walked up while our booth was surrounded by friends and clients who quickly bristled and got their own dander up.

The guy opens his mouth and gives us a piece of his mind. Party foul! Don’t call out the host in front of the host’s friends! The bad guy gets chased away really really fast by friends who give him a bit of his own vitriol.

“Buddy, you need to take a hike!” “You’re a jerk, keep walking.” “Back off, amigo, you’re full of…” Well, you get the idea. It’s hard to suppress a grin still thinking about it. Thanks guys!

But honestly, I don’t know what’s changed. Maybe people are coming around and are untangling fact from sensationalism and realizing that, while Mexico has a lot of problems, much of what the media feeds us isn’t the whole story and is not reflective of ALL of the country. It’s a big place.

The bad guys are not targeting tourists. Like pretty much anywhere else, there’s places in every city you shouldn’t visit places and things you shouldn’t be doing no matter where you are. I mean…why would anyone need to go into a dark alley in Ciudad de Juarez? Or, one in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco or New Orleans, etc? Common sense!

In fact, statistics show that American tourism to Mexico has been on the rise the past year. Last year alone, something like 15 million Americans visited Mexico and you know what happened…NOTHING!

What we’ve found instead this year is people walking up to us and asking,

“What do you think about the violence?”

“What’s the real story down there?”

“Is it really that dangerous?”

They really want to know. They want someone to give another side. And they listen. Really listen. And instead of a confrontation, it becomes an exchange of ideas. They may never come down to visit, but most times, I hear them say, “Wow, I didn’t know that. That’s really interesting.” They shake our hands and thank us. Hopefully with a little better understanding.

Now, I do hear people say that the ONLY reason we’re pimping this is that we have a vested interest in getting folks down to Mexico. Of course we do. We have a fishing business and a restaurant. To me, what’s good for us is good for everyone. A little understanding goes a long way. But, no matter what I say, people will still call it a sales job.

Well, just this week, none other than the U.S. State Department officially recognized and declared that “no advisory” is “in effect for La Paz and the entire South Baja region.” (that includes Cabo and Loreto!). According to the State Department the report was compiled at the behest of American business groups worried about employee safety and NOT to appease various boosters of Mexican tourism, e.g. self-serving “salesmen” like me!

So, there you have it. The U.S. Government finally telling folks something most of us in Baja already knew. Come enjoy!

_______

HOLD THE PRESS…just after I wrote this and it went to publication to the editor, we had two people walk up to us at the booth in Salt Lake City Sportsman’s Expo.. Just as we were thinking we had made it through with a kinder, gentler, season. Just after I wrote the above column the night before…two folks walked up to us and hissed…”WE HATE MEXICANS!” And walked on. Didn’t even stick around long enough for get a response from me or my wife. Both the woman and the man said the same thing and made a point of walking right up to our booth. “ I HATE MEXICANS.” Dangit…I guess there’s still knuckleheads out there. Sad.

_________

That’s our story…

Jonathan

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International
Website: www.tailhunter-international.com
U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Drive, Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745
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:
http://www.tailhunter-international.com/fishreport.htm

Tailhunter YouTube Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/pangapirate

“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.”