That&#039;s My Story

U.S. Office: Box 1149, Alpine CA 91903-1149

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

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from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

“FACING FORWARD LOOKING BACK”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, cabrilla, cerralvo, charters, dorado, espirito santo, fish, Fishing, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, fishing tips, fishing trips, fishing videos, flyfishing, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, outfitters, panga, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, sierra, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tours, Travel, trolling tips, tuna, Uncategorized, vacations, wahoo, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, women fishing, yellowtail, tagged baja, cerralvo, charters, espirito santo, fish, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing trip, holidays, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, mexican, mexican life, mexico, outfitters, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, tourism, vacations, western outdoor news, western outdoors, working in mexico on April 29, 2013| Leave a Comment »

FACING FORWARD LOOKING BACK

Originally Published the Week of May 4, 2013 in Western Outdoor News

One of my esteemed predecessors writing this column for Western Outdoors was the famous Fred Hoctor. People described him in many ways. A curmudgeon. A crank. Crusty. Or worse!

Even he admitted to it. Always with a laugh.

But he was a helluva writer and one of those guys who just had the knack for spinning yarns and telling stories. He wrote columns and books including the iconic, “Baja Ha Ha” that can still be found in many bookshelves. Say what you want, but “Old Fred” was prolifically brilliant and witty and one of the original Baja rats.

I started writing outdoor pieces about 30 years ago myself. I don’t know where Fred got a hold of me or how, but he would call me up now and then. To me, it was like Papa Hemingway or John Steinbeck calling. I never really knew what to say or how to engage him in conversation.

Usually, though, it seemed as though he was calling to get something off his chest.

I’d pick up the phone and I’d hear, “Kid…this is Fred. (Never give his last name unless I asked it …so the first few times, it was just “Fred” as if no one else named Fred would have called me).

He’d say, “Kid, I read what you wrote in such-and-such a magazine.” He’d say this in a his gravelly voice that sounded like central casting for a guy who smoked too many cigarettes…sucked the dust off too many Baja backroads… and raspy from tipping the bottle…sometimes I would swear he was tipping while he was talking.

He’d usually cuss at me a bit and then launch into a story. The story had nothing to do with anything I’d written. He wouldn’t even comment on my writing. He’d laugh. Cuss s’more and just hang up. Never asked my opinion or try to converse. Never said good-bye or drop a salutation. Just hung up. Zzzzzz…dead air. Dial-tone.

Uh…thanks for the call, Fred. Nice to hear from you.

But, I always liked that he called me, “kid.” It was nice to know that I was being read by someone! It was like knowing that someone cool was watching me. Someone older and wiser…(Fred passed away in 2001 and I’m sure being called “wiser” makes him just spin and hoot from the other side).

Somehow, I’ve always thought of myself as “the kid.” I was always the younger guy around. In the industry, there were all these older guys that I looked up to and who took me under their wings. I felt like I was always sitting at the “kids” table at Thanksgiving and the grown ups were at the big table.

But a sobering thought hit me while pondering what to write for this week’s column. That was 20-30 years ago and I’m on the near side of 60 years old now. I’m not a kid and somewhere and sometime, I moved up to the big boy table. And somehow more and more spaces kept opening up there. Little-by-little, the grown ups passed on.

Mentally, I still feel like one of the young guys, but my salt-and-pepper beard and creaky joints tell a different story. All my friends are this old too. And there’s not too many ahead of me.

But, the sad thing is that there aren’t too many behind me either.

The kids table isn’t very filled anymore. My generation seems to be the YOUNG generation even tho’ we’re retiring and having kids in college and seeing grand kids. There isn’t much of a “younger generation” filling in the gaps behind us.

At all the hunting and fishing shows we attend with our booth, most of the operators and outfitters are about my age or older. Most of the charter boat operators are my age or older. At the seminars I do for fishing clubs…again…my age or older.

And the ones leaving the sport and leaving the industry simply fold up. Their kids do other things. It’s a hard life making ends meet relying on skill and the whims of Mother Nature. The kids of the guys who participate in the sports have other attractions…X games…video computers…social media. Heck, how many kids these days even go outside?

Even here in La Paz. The kids of my captains, even though many go onto other jobs and professions, don’t come back to the water let alone wanting to do what dad does.

And the same for our fishing clients. We’re all aging together. I saw one group of firefighters several weeks ago who have come fishing with us for over a decade.

At dinner one night, I said, “Years ago, you guys would tear up the hotel. You’d streak through the halls and do naked cannonballs into the pool. I’d find you on the beach in the mornings passed out and drag you onto the pangas. Now by 8 p.m. you’re all in your rooms watching CNN and asleep by 9 o’clock!”

We all laughed through our “reader glasses” we all bought from COSTCO. Very simply, we got older! The telling thing is that of the 20 or so guys, not a single one of them has kids that like to go fishing, nevermind coming to Baja.

Unfortunately, I think that bodes poorly on so many levels. Wow. I’m close to being the last of the generations to remember when the roads were all dirt…the tumbleweeds blew across a beach without high rise hotels…ice was non-existent…air-conditioning meant opening a window or opening a tent flap…gasoline was filtered through a t-shirt…the dinner menu was tortillas and whatever you caught…and you opened a beer with your fishing pliers.

After me…after us…the ranks are thin and thinning.

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

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:

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“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.”

“Next Level Wahoo”

Posted in Baja Rockfish, 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, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, Mexican, Mexico, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, tourism, Travel, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, tagged cerralvo, charters, dorado, espirito santo, fish, Fishing, fishing charters, fishing reports, fishing tips, fishing trips, fishing video, flyfishing, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, las arenas, light tackle, lures, mexican, mexico, outfitters, panga, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, trolling, tuna, vacations, wahoo on April 14, 2013| Leave a Comment »

They say it’s better to be “lucky” than “good” but if you can be both, that’s even better and a few fine-tuning tips go a long way. Roger Thompson of La Ventana is very lucky but that’s because he’s very good! He makes his own “luck” as he shows off another dandy wahoo!

NEXT LEVEL WAHOO

Originally Published the Week of April 18, 2013 in Western Outdoor News Publications

This past week here in La Paz, we’ve had a sudden and unexpected run of wahoo. Normally, at least for our area, it’s not a species we encounter so early in the year and it ended up surprising many of our anglers as well as captains.

The speedy sharp-toothed fish is incredibly-prized by anglers as one of the best eating but also one of the most ferocious fighters. Reputedly capable of speeds up to 70 mph, they are arguably the fastest fish in the ocean. I once described it to a client as dropping a hook and line over a freeway bridge and suddenly hooking a car passing underneath! It’s definitely NOT a fish you would want to try to stop by putting your thumb on the spool unless you’re tired of having skin!

Fortunately, wahoo aren’t headed miles the highway but they are surely capable of blazing runs in one direction then turning on a dime and jetting off in another. This requires anglers to keep that rod tip up and pointed in the general direction of the fish because it can go headed north one minute and seconds later go tearing west! I’ve seen guys comically sprint from bow to stern and back again trying to keep up!

Knowing how they feed and fight will increase your edge in putting one of these guys on the deck. And that’s a big problem I saw this past week. We had lots of hookups, but the ratio of hookups-to-fish caught was unfortunate. It seemed three of these fish were lost for everyone hooked.

For baitfishers, for all their speed, wahoo aren’t hard-charging feeders generally. I’ve been underwater and watched them feed and have seen numerous videos. With their razor-like teeth, wahoo will often get a bait and “scissors” it in half or into pieces.

They then come around and slurp up their food! Like a guy who cuts up all his steak into bite-sized pieces before actually started to eat!

What I often see is someone who gets a tug on their bait. They go “oh no!” and then start to crank it in thinking that the just got cleaned. They pull in the bait and find their bait neatly missing it’s rearend as if someone has taken a scalpel to it. If wahoo are in the area, best to just let it sit for a bit. The wahoo will often come back around to “pick up the pieces.”

Many anglers enjoy throwing “iron” or “wahoo bombs” at the fish. Great fun. Cast and let it flutter down. Marine biologists and lure manufacturers have told me wahoo have poor eyesight. However, they pick up movement and vibration along those long flanks!

Therefore, the more movement you can impart to your lure or jig, the better your chances. Shiny lures rather than painted lures have always been my preference. My bombs are skirted with shiny metallic tinsel. All my lure hooks have hammered little spinner leaves on them.

As they drop or on the retrieve, twitch and jerk the lure so that it flutters as much as possible and appears like a wounded fish. The wahoo pick up the movement and zero-in. Then, when they get close the actual “flash” of the lure generates the strike.

I like to think of a cat. If you put a ball in front of it, the cat can’t be bothered. If you roll that ball or bounce it in front of the cat, it suddenly reacts! That’s what you want with a wahoo.

As for trolling, think of the same things. The “movement” pulls them in, but the color and presentation generate the strike.

Don’t worry about trolling too fast! Remember, wahoo can outswim your boat!

I personally like to drag my wahoo Marauder, Rapala or heavy jet-head just inside and below the bubbles of the propwash. I’ve seen wahoo come right up to the transom of fishing boats and still take trolled lures. So, I don’t need to be a football field back with my lures!

Oh…and one other edge…I take treble hooks off my lures and replace them with single Siwash style hooks. Wahoo have extremely hard jaws. Treble hooks sometimes don’t pierce very deeply. Single hooks jam in deeper.

Additionally, wahoo will twist and torque around when fighting. They can torque themselves right off a hook, which I have often seen. Again, this is an argument for the deeper-penetrating single hooks.

Sometimes just as the angler gets “color” on the fish close to the boat and is mentally congratulating himself ADIOS! Bye-bye, Mr. Wahoo.

Having single hooks in a lure, very often the second hook also twists around and then buries itself into the jaw or head at a different angle firmly securing the fish in an inescapable double-hook vise!

Whether you fish with bait, lures or are trolling, the biggest question is whether to use wire. I think it comes to personal preference.

In several decades living here in Mexico and working boats and in the fishing industry, I see many captains and pros that debate the issue back and forth. Personally, I believe I get more bites with straight mono and leave out the wire. I lose more fish, maybe than the guy with wire. But I do get more bites and most times, I can put the fish in the boat. However, I use double leaders if I’m fishing mono.

First, it acts as a shock leader to take some of the strain off the initial hit. Second, even if the wahoo cuts one side of my leader, I’ve rarely seen it cut through the other side of the leader. And, like I said, I get more bites. My bait and lures swim more naturally generating more strikes! And to me, that’s what it’s about!

That’s our story!

Jonathan Roldan

_______________

______________

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.”

“NEED NOT GREED”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, 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, Mexican, Mexican business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, pargo, pompano, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, sierra, Tailhunter International, tourism, Travel, Western Outdoor News, yellowtail, tagged baja, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charters, fish, Fishing, fishing packages, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, holidays, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, la ventana, las arenas, Leisure, light tackle, mexican, mexican fishing, mexico, outfitters, Panga Fishing, pargo, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, travel, vacations, yellowtail on March 31, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Hard to believe it’s been almost 17 years now in Baja. It’s been grand, but where did the time go? Comes a time when you realize you’ve got more fishing days behind you than ahead of you and you count all the blessings!

NEED NOT GREED

Originally Published the Week of April 4, 2013 in Western Outdoor News

I’m reminded of a father and son who attended a fishing school I had been giving many years ago at the old Hotel Las Arenas near La Paz. We were fishing along the shallows on the east side of Cerralvo Island and my fishing school was all about fishing for rockfish like pargo (snapper) and cabrilla (seabass).

Papa Fred and young adult son, Todd, were with me on the panga that day. It was their first time fishing in Mexico and it had been a number of years since they had fished together.

It was early morning and we were slow trolling the shallow reefs that ring the eastern side of the island. Dad had taken several nice three or four-pound cabrilla and had flipped a few smaller ones back into the water.

Todd, the son, hadn’t caught any of the the larger ones, but had kept several of the smaller ones. He had just hooked another and deftly popped it off the hook and tossed it into the fish box.

“Why don’t you let some of those smaller ones go, son?” asked Fred.

“The smaller ones are good to eat, Dad,” replied Todd. “And besides, if we let them go, commercial guys or someone else is going to catch them anyway so we might as well keep them,” he said with a smile and a shrug.

The older gent squinted into the rising morning Baja sun and said, “There’s this story I once heard about a big nighttime storm on the gulf coast. In the morning, the beach was littered with starfish. As far as the eye could see. The storm had washed all these starfish up on the beach above the water line. With the sun climbing into the sky surely, they’d start to bake and die off. “

A morning jogger came upon a young teenager walking from starfish to starfish picking them up and tossing them as far into the ocean as he could. One at a time.

“What are you doing?” asked the jogger casually, as he pulled up to catch his breath.

“The storm washed all these guys up here onto the sand,” replied the youngster. “I’m saving starfish,” as he picked up another and pitched it seaward.

“You’re crazy,” laughed the jogger standing tall and surveying with squinted-eyes all the starfish dotting the sand. “There must be thousands. You can’t hope to make a difference!”

“It makes a difference to this one…” said the teenager as he smiled at the jogger and picked up another starfish and tossed it back into the waves.

Little bits make a difference.

I will readily admit that in my fishing career, I’ve taken more fish than most. That “career” has now spanned more than 50 years (ouch!) and started with my first bamboo rod and some shrimp for bait. I’ve had the “bloodlust” where excitement over-rides better judgement and nothing is as important as hooking fish.

In those early days, it was about chest-thumping and high-fives. It was about catching more fish than the other fella and big heavy stringers. Who hasn’t gone down that road a time or two…or more? For me, that “road” was often a four-lane express-way and I was at the helm of a mack truck.

But somewhere in the last few years, that changed. I don’t know when or where fishing became more important than catching. Maybe it was realizing that I’ve probably got more fishing time behind me than ahead of me these days.

At some point, a day with my wife, family or friends on the water and a bit of sunshine has become more crucial to my well-being and self-esteem than tight lines. Reveling in a simple day when four walls…cell phones…and the internet weren’t sucking my soul dry were the best 5-star vacation ever invented.

Need vs. Greed. My need to just take a breath and put my toes in the sand trumps my former greediness to be putting fish in the boat…everytime…all the time.

And, although I still love catching fish and can do it with the best, maybe keeping just one or two for dinner, is enough. Especially if it means breaking bread…er…tortillas to share with family and friends!

And more than it ever did…releasing fish to swim away is even more of a kick and makes a big difference in a small way…to that one fish. And yes…to at least this one fisherman as well.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

________________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

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

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

U.S. Mailing Address: Tailhunter International, P.O. Box 1149, Alpine CA 91903-1149

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:

“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.”

“FINALLY READING BETWEEN THE LINES”

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, 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, Panga Fishing, pargo, roosterfish, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, tourism, Travel, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, tagged baja, charters, commentary, fish, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, mexican, mexico, mexico life, outfitters, sea of cortez, sportfishing, Tailhunter International, tourism, tourism growth, tours, travel, violence in mexico, western outdoor news, western outdoor publications on March 18, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Despite what many think, Mexico actually has one of the fastest growing tourism economies in the world as more folks are discovering Mexico as a great destination with Americans still comprising the majority of tourists with more than 24 million visitors expected this year.

“FINALLY READING BETWEEN THE LINES”

Originally Published the Week of March 20, 2013 in Western Outdoor News

It’s been an uphill battle.

Turn back the time machine about 2-3 seasons ago and it seemed that every other persons was asking me about the “violence in Mexico” or telling me they’d “Never go there again” or “I’d be in fear of my life!”

It seemed everyone had seen the news clips. Everyone had read the headlines. Everyone had a friend-of-neighbor-of-an-uncle-of-a-classmate who knew someone else who had been beaten, robbed, killed or eaten a bad taco.

Speaking at seminars and appearing at countless trade, travel, hunting and fishing shows over the years, it seemed the negativity was endless. Protest as I might…how could any of us who enjoy living and working in Mexico ever overcome the omnipotent power of the broadcast and print media?

We’re just little old us…mom and pop operations in Mexico…

How does one prove a negative? How do you prove something is NOT happening? How do we go up against CNN and FOX and the others and say, “Hey, thousands of tourists are NOT getting murdered!” “Hey, 200,000 Americans crossed the border today and NOTHING happened to them!”

Sigh…wring hands…shrug shoulders. Exhale. And hope.

But maybe things are changing. Lately, people specifically ask me if Baja is safe. Or is La Paz (where we live) or Cabo San Lucas safe. Things like that.

I tell them yes. Maybe show them some statistics and they’re fine with that. “I thought so,” they’ll usually say. Then, they move onto the good stuff like, “So, when’s the best time to come fishing?”

A few years ago, people would argue with me. Not so now.

Or, in the alternative, they affirm what we’ve been telling everyone.

They come out and pointedly tell me, that they’ve visited Cancun and Cozumel and Puerta Vallarta and Loreto and other tourist destinations and found them to be safer or at least as safe as being home. And enjoy travelling to Mexico. It’s a great value. The people are great. Love the food. Blah…blah…blah! Stuff we’ve always known, right?

Now, no one is saying Mexico doesn’t have a problem. Far from it. Mexico has some serious crime problems. But folks have been quick to point out that, “Hey, it’s not directed at tourists.”

“It’s in places we shouldn’t go anyway…like back alleys of Ciudad de Juarez!”

“Don’t do things you shouldn’t be doing and going to places you shouldn’t be going and you’ll be fine…like American cities. Every place has it’s bad areas. Don’t be an idiot. Stay out of bad areas!”

“I go to Mexico all the time. I feel safer there on the beach in San Carlos or Los Barriles than I do where I live in Phoenix and my car gets busted into all the time and several of my neighbors have been burglarized.”

“I’m tired of all the negativity. It’s in the news every time an American or tourist gets his wallet stolen in Mexico. How often does that happen in downtown New York and it never makes the news.”

It’s kind of refreshing in a strange way to have people trying to convince ME that it’s OK to be in Mexico. People are figuring it out on their own.

Unlike many tourist destinations, Mexico took 3 big strikes to it’s travel sector. First, was the economic downturn that seems to have hit the whole planet.

Second, of course, is the nervousness over violent crime.

Third, was the swine-flu scare. (Don’t get me started on that fiasco! Again… everyone knew a friend-of-a-friend-of-friend who had been stricken…sheesh).

But, Mexico’s on the rebound.

I’m not completely convinced yet that it’s due to an overall economic recovery for everyone. There’s still alot of bad stuff going on and we’re far from over. But, maybe folks are just adjusting to it all. Maybe they still know Mexico’s a good value and it’s close and yea…they’ve adjusted to the fact that it’s a pretty safe place to hang out with the bro’s and the family.

Indeed, statistics show that Mexico has one of the fastest growing tourist economies in the world. In excess of 24 million visitors take to Mexico yearly now. Americans make up the majority of Mexico’s tourism base as something like 4-8 million Americans visit annually. And suffer nothing more serious than a self-induced margarita hangover or a bad sunburn.

As a matter of fact, the fastest growing segment of Mexico’s tourism is coming from places like China, Russia, Columbia, Brazil and the Ukraine. And for years, having lived in Baja, the Italians, French and Japanese have been constant visitors as well.

This is all good news for Mexico and should be an assurance to those contemplating a trip south of the border where the most violent thing you encounter might be in the salsa you spoon into your tacos! Andale!

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

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.”

BAJA PRIMER – “IRON” the NEXT STEP!

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Baja Rockfish, cabrilla, dorado, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, flyfishing, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, 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, Travel, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, yellowtail, tagged bahia de los muertos, bahia de los suenos, baja, bay of dreams, casting, Cerralvo Island, el sargento, fish, Fishing, fishing charters, fishing instruction, fishing lessons, fishing outfitters, fishing reports, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing trips, fishing vacations, fishing videos, iron, Jonathan Roldan, la ventana, las arenas, lures, mexican, mexico, muertos bay, Panga Fishing, salt water, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, throwing iron, tuna, yellowtail on February 18, 2013| Leave a Comment »

An effective line up of “iron”

“Fresh one!” A yellowtail hanging on the iron! These guys will slam a fast-retrieved iron hard enough to hank the rod from your hands! A chrome-pattern did the trick on this big yellow.

BAJA PRIMER – “IRON” THE NEXT STEP

Orginally Published in Western Outdoor Publications

You’re ready to try something different. You’ve got a bit of strut in your step. You’ve been on your share of fishing trips. Into Mexican waters from San Diego. Some trips from Cabo and the East Cape. Maybe some mother-ship trips from San Felipe.

You’ve put some fish in the bag and a few fillets in the ice chest. You’re no rookie and think you can pretty much hold your own and know how to tie a knot and which side of the reel is up.

So, now what?

You’re been watching some of the other “hot sticks.” You realize you’ve caught all your Mexico fish with bait or trolling. Although it’s exciting and you fill your sack, you’re ready to step-up your fishing repertoire.

Yawn…

It dawns on you that everyone and anyone can catch fish with bait. And it’s a no-brainer to drag lures around the ocean waiting for a bite. In the fish-rich waters of Mexico, if the fish are hungry, they’ll eat a bait. If you drive the boat over the right patch of water, you get bit too.

What’s the challenge in that?

But, you notice the bit of swagger and yes, maybe even cockiness in the guys they call the “ironmen.” They’re the guys who can put a fish in the boat when nothing else is biting or no one else is getting bit. They get the bigger fish. They win jackpots. Plus it looks like fun and you want a piece of that!

It does’t take much to get started. Your local tackle shop can get you started. Do not be afraid to ask for help and don’t be afraid to admit you’ve never fished “the iron” before.

The best thing is that many of the most popular Mexican game fish like tuna and yellowtail are not only some of the most fun to catch on the iron, but also will readily bite iron lures.

“Iron” refers the class of lures that generally look like pieces of heavy sculpted elongated metal…a bit like a metal candy bar. Hence the moniker “iron.” They come in a dizzying array of shapes, sizes and colors, but just for learning sake, you can get by with just a handful that will cover most situations:

They involve combinations of chrome/ white/ blue/ green/ yellow/ brown. Have your tackle dealer point them out.

Manufacturers of many of the most popular include: Tady / UFO / Fire / Salas/ Raider / Hopkins / Williamson/ and Candy Bar…just to name a few.

Unless you know how to cast already, start with the heavier jigs. Something that will sink and cast easily like 3-6 oz lures are typical for starters.

If you don’t know how to cast yet, don’t let that stop you. You can “fish the iron” even if you don’t know how to cast. If you can do a simple underhand cast or sidearm cast or even just drop the jig overboard, you’ll do just fine.

The real secret in fishing the iron isn’t necessarily in how far you can cast. The real secret is in getting the jig to “swim” imparting it with a life-like action that will entice a fish to bite. And that’s where the fun comes in.

If you’ll notice, all lures have “edges.” These are the cuts and angles molded into the lures. They might give it the appearance of an elongated diamond. Or a twisted piece of metel or give it little indents or the appearance of “shoulders.” But these little bits and cuts make the lure “swim” as it’s retrieved through the water.

Some dart and dive. Others shimmy. Or spin. Or wiggle. All have their own characteristics which change depending on how you retrieve or use the lure. Some are even cut to flutter like a dead bait when simply sinking in the water.

There are different techniques to do all of this. One of the most common and the easiest for a beginner is to fish “on the slide.” While the trolling rods are out, I like to have a nice heavy chrome lure ready and tied to a shorter rod and and least 40-50 pound test. When the trolling reel goes off, the boat usually coasts or “slides” to a stop while someone battles the hooked fish.

Fishing the “slide” simply entails taking the reel out’ve gear and letting that heavy jig flutter down behind the boat. If there’s a school of fish, especially tuna following behind the hooked fish watch out!

This is one of the deadliest means of hooking that next fish as they swarm to the boat. A ferocious strike often occurs as the jig falls or when the reel is suddenly put in to gear! Hold on!

The second easiest way to learn to fish the iron is called “yo-yo” fishing. Again, this is as simple as dropping the jig overboard from a stopped boat. If you can do a side cast or a long under-handed cast all the better.

Let the lure fall. Once more, don’t be surprised if the lure is hit on the drop as it flutters down through the zones.

After a reasonable time, start winding. Now, this take a bit of watching. With some lures, if you wind too fast, the lure “propellers” and just spins. Not good. Too slow and the lure doesn’t move at all. It just hangs there as it comes back to the boat. Not good either.

So, watch and get a good “swim” on your lure. Some fish like yellowtail really go after a lure that’s moving fast. The faster the better. Others like tuna aren’t so picky. Remember, the point is to make the lure imitate a live bait that will interest the fish in biting.

Once you have that, try different motions. The “sweep” involves winding and lifting with the rod at the same time in a “sweep” motion. Then stopping and letting the lure flutter down again. Then winding again.

“Ripping” involves a fast vertical retrieve, then stopping. Throw the reel into free-spool and letting the lure fall back down. Then back into gear and winding quickly again.

If you can get a short cast out, try the “Z-pattern.” Winding back towards the boat. Stopping and letting the lure fall…then winding again….then letting the lure fall…then winding again in a “Z pattern” back to the boat.

Practice and watch. You’ll get better in now time and add something new to your fish-catching arsenal.

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: 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.”

“LIFE’s POST-IT NOTES”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, Fishing, fishing reports, Fishing Tackle and Techniques, Fishing techniques, flyfishing, holidays in mexico, inshore fishing, inshore fishing in Baja Mexico, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, marlin, Mexican, Mexican business, 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, charters, Espiritu Santo Island, expatriates in mexico, fish, Fishing, fishing blog, fishing report, fishing stories, gringos in mexico, guide, guides, holidays, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, life, light tackle, mexican, mexican culture, mexican life, mexico, outfitters, panga, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, vacations, western outdoor publications, western outoor news on January 14, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Like any job, sometimes things get lost in the hustle an bustle and you can’t see the forest for the trees…even when running a fishing business. But, every now and then, life sends little reminders that open your eyes.

LIFE’S POST-IT NOTES

Originally Published the Week of January 17, 2013 in Western Outdoor News

STORIES

At a recent fishing and hunting expo we were in our booth “meeting and greeting” the public and talking about fishing in La Paz with our fleet.

Two of our long-time clients, Rick and Harvey walked up to talk about their upcoming trip. They quietly mentioned that Larry, one of the regulars in the fishing group had suddenly passed away the previous month.

“He was already not feeling quite right and had a biopsy just before the trip to La Paz. The doctors told him he probably shouldn’t go on the trip,” said Rick.

“We didn’t know anything about it,” said Harvey. “But in hindsight we think he must’ve known something was really bad and decided to make the trip anyway. Boy, he sure had fun and enjoyed himself fishing with you guys.”

“Sadly, it was his last trip,” reflected Rick. “None of us knew…”

________________

At another public appearance, I was approached by 3 gentleman. One was obviously, much older than the others. He was walking slightly bent, but had a firm handshake and a ready smile! He also had a small oxygen tank attached. His name was Paul.

“I’m 98 years old!” he proudly announced to me with a grin. “Do you know why I still love to fish at 98 years old?”

“Why? we said in unison.

“For the Hal-i-but!” he laughed aloud tickled to have caught us in his playfulness.

“Wanna see my big fish?” he said opening his wallet.

“Sure,” I said warily. Half-thinking here-we-go. This is gonna be a long-winded fish story.

Paul proceeds to pull out a photo of a big 125 -pound yellowfin tuna being held up by a struggling fisherman.

“Caught that in La Paz when I was ONLY 89-years old!” he beamed. I could have sworn he pushed out his chest when he said that obviously pleased at the attention of the small crowd that had gathered.

One of his friends leaned over to me and whispered, “That’s the only photo he carries in his wallet. He’s a war vet. He’s been all over the world. No photos of wife. Or kids. Or grandkids. Or travel. Only that tuna photo. And he’ll show it off anytime he gets a chance. “

________________

Son, Ron, did a knuckle-bump with me as he hoisted himself into our shuttle van to take he and dad back to the airport. Big smiles. “Great time!” said Ron. “What a blast. Best fishing ever!”

I helped toss in some of the smaller luggage in to the back.

Bob, the dad, grasped my hand in his big paw. A two-handed handshake. “Can’t tell ya how much this trip meant. Thanks again.”

He handed me a note as the van pulled away from the hotel and I watched it nose out of the driveway and out onto the highway.

I opened the note handwritten on some of the hotel stationery.

“Jonathan…just wanted to tell you and your wife, what a great time we had. I never did mention to you how important this trip was for me. My son, Ron, is actually in the military and has just been notified he’s headed to Iraq. You and your staff made this a trip to remember and hold onto. Thanks for everything. Bob”

_________________

I had been guiding that day and sharing a panga with Greg and Annie, a young couple from Washington. We had a fun day. Got some fish. Saw whales and dolphin. Lots of laughs and “Kodak moments” all the way around.

It was fun to watch these two. They shined. They really enjoyed each other’s company. It was obvious that Annie was the apple of Greg’s eye. It was just fun to be around them.

Towards the end of the day, another dorado came aboard.

“This is the last one!” laughed Greg. “No more! We’ve got our limits and it’s getting late. Let me just get the hook out’ve this fish.”

As I watched from the stern, Greg reached into the fish’s mouth with his pliers. Annie wasn’t paying much attention.

“What’s this?” I heard Greg say with a laugh.

Removing his hand from the fish, he produced…a ring…a tiny shiny gold ring !

Annie and I both looked on. Astonished yet not quite sure what Greg had found. The little diamond gleamed in the sun.

Greg took a knee to the deck in front of Annie as the sun started to set behind him. He held out the ring.

“Annie…I love you. Would you like to live happily ever after?”

_______________

I’m often told that I’m “living the dream” down here working in Baja. But often times, it’s a job like any job, no matter how much I love it.

Especially when the season is in full swing. It can be a blur of customers and friends. Sunshine and fish. Luggage and equipment. One day sometimes seems like the 10 others before it. Frantic at times. Boring and routine at others. Stressful and mundane and then panic and tension in a wink.

But, every now and then, an unexpected bit of reality smacks you in the head and heart. There are amazing moments of clarity when someone says or does something and I realize how truly blessed to be able to do what we do.

We are witness to the special moments in the lives of our customers and friends. Every day.

It’s the biggest fish. It’s the great laughs. It’s the family times. It’s the first time. It’s the only time.

It’s the last time.

Sometimes life drops these little reality checks on those of us who get to do jobs like this. And it reminds us that we truly are privileged and honored to be asked to spend this time with you “livin’ the dream.”

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

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.”

“PLAYING ROUGH!”

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, jack crevalle, Jonathan Roldan, kids fishing, La Paz, La Paz Fishing, Living in Mexico, marlin, Mexican, 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, billfish, cabrilla, Cerralvo Island, charters, fish, Fishing, fishing outfitters, fishing packages, fishing reports, Fishing Techniques, fishing tips, fishing vacations, fishing videos, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, largo, marlin, mexican, mexico, outfitters, rough water, sailfish, salt water fishing, saltwater, sea of cortez, seasick, sierra, storms, Tailhunter International, trolling, tuna, waves, western outdoor publications, western outdoors. western outdoor news, winter fishing, yellowtail on December 30, 2012| Leave a Comment »

There are times when it's just better and safe to hang by the pool for the day, but if you're headed out, there's a few things you can do to make it easier to fish in rough water!

There are times when it’s just better and safer to hang by the pool for the day, but if you’re headed out, there’s a few things you can do to make it easier to fish in rough water!

PLAYING ROUGH!

Originally Published the Week of January 3, 2012 in Western Outdoor News

Memories of those calm balmy days fishing the Sea of Cortez definitely weren’t going through my brain this afternoon. On the contrary.

Although the sun was out, I was relatively “bundled” for Baja fishing. I was still customarily barefoot, but my fishing wardrobe long loose sweat pants and a layering of t-shirt; long sleeve Pendleton and waterproof windbreaker with hood over my head. It hardly sounded like Baja fishing couture!

But, that being said. I was chilly. It was blustery and spray from the wave-tossed northern winds that sweep the Cortez had my clothes damp and my panga captain and I fishing with our hoods pulled way down! Out of the corner of my mouth, I said in Spanish, “This is why we get paid the big money!”

He grinned and wiped the seawater that was splashing his face and he held onto the tiller!

It was choppy. White caps tipped the waves even though we weren’t far from shore. Brrrrr…

My client, a great guy from Oregon, used to fishing the dangerous mouth of the Columbia River was having a great time in his shorts and t-shirt! “Heck, this is nothing… it’s cold and raining back home!” he laughed.

Well…yay. Winter is still not my favorite time to fish, but when you gotta work, you gotta work. Often fishing in winter in the Sea of Cortez or any of Baja waters can be a challenge. Forget all the fancy brochures. Weather is still weather and there are some times of the year that are better than others to fish!

That doesn’t mean there’s no fish, but you have to change your tactics a bit when playing in rougher water.

For one, there’s a good chance you might be doing more trolling than normal. When waters are rough or when it’s off-season, it’s often difficult to purchase bait because either the bait guys aren’t working. Or, it’s sometimes too rough to net or hook sardines, mackerel or other baitfish.

So, be prepared to troll.

If you have a water temperature gauge, at least try to find the warmer temperature breaks to work.

Also, given the turbulence on the surface, certain lures work better. I put away all the “bullet” headed trolling lures and reach for lures with heads that are heavier to dive beneath the chop. I like using heads that have slanted or flat heads or have “jet holes” that will also create more action as they are pulled through the waters.

You have to be careful about your lure speeds. It’s not like you can put it on auto pilot on the console or in your brain. If you’re in waves and swell, your boat speed will vary constantly depending if you’re going upswell or surfing downswell or getting hit sideways.

Which brings up another point.

In heavy weather, use fewer lines. And run them equidistant from the transom. Some guys like to run them close. Others far from the prop wash. But either way, fewer lines and keeping them equidistant reduces the frequency of tangled lines, especially if you’re doing “S” patterns or the chop is really pushing the boat and the lines around. Personally, I like running the lines a bit closer than normal. Don’t worry about the fish. Believe me, most fish out there can swim faster than the boat can move so if they’re inclined, they’ll hit your lures even if you’re having to run a little faster or slower than normal.

Finally…

It should go without saying to use common sense at all times. If it’s too rough, no fishing is ever worth jeopardizing anyone’s safety. Keep it fun! Either stay onshore or know when to head for the beach and call it a day!

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

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.”

“BUCKET LISTS”

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, Mexico, Mexico Christmas, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, tagged baja, blog, bucket list, culture, fish, Fishing, fishing charters, fishing reports, holidays, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, life, mexican, mexico, outdoors, outfitters, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, vacations, western outdoor news, western outdoor publications on December 3, 2012| Leave a Comment »

BUCKET LISTS

Originally Published the Week of December 6, 2012 in Western Outdoor News Publications

“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.”

Ever since the 2007 movie of the same name with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, the term “Bucket List” has become part of our lexicon. Jack and Morgan played two escapees from the cancer ward and set off to do all the things in life they always wanted before they “kicked the proverbial bucket.”

I seem to hear that so often from friends and clients who visit us in Mexico. I think some days hardly go by where someone doesn’t happily tell me…

“That was a great roosterfish. Been trying for years! Cross that one off the bucket list!”

“What a great time! Always wanted to go fishing with my son and grandson! It was on my bucket list.”

“Bucket list just got shorter. Me and my wife just snorkeled with whale sharks this afternoon!”

Sometimes, it’s not even that complicated.

“We’ve lived our whole lives in Indiana. We wanted to visit the ocean just once! Yessiree. It was on the bucket list.”

When I hear something like that I realize how often I take stuff for granted. Having grown up always outdoors in the mountains; on an island; in the water or under the water, I just don’t think twice about so many things. Many of those things might seem dangerous or daring…or plain stupid and reckless, I suppose to some folks!

But believe me, I’m no daredevil. I’m not crazy nor do I have a deathwish nor am I an adrenaline junkie. There’s a difference between an “e-ticket ride” that’s a bit scary but always ends and with you steppping \ off the ride laughing…and the real Evel Kneivel stuff where you can get hurt and you’d better have you medical insurance card handy.

But, it’s all relative. My e-ticket ride is someone else’s mad crazy adventure.

Dive with sharks. No problem.

Live off the land in a cave. Sure.

Hang glide. Sign me up.

Jump out of an airplane. Safer than crossing the street.

Ride a manta ray. In an instant.

Run through Central Park New York at midnight on a dare. I was young and stupid. Draw the line at that one! Not recommended.

But…

My personal bucket list continuously keeps getting longer and longer. Not shorter. The more I do and see, the more I add things to the list. This past week, I just crossed-off zip-lining through a rain forest and looking for crocodiles while I paddled through jungle mangroves off the list. (Topics for another column!)

And, I keep hearing more and more people discuss their own personal bucket lists. More than ever before. Maybe, it’s just the age group I’m in.

We’re the baby boomers. We’re not 30 or 40 anymore. Look around and oops…how the time flew! We’re 50-plus and edging up and over 60-years-old. Many of my friends have grown grandkids already. Many retired or close to it.

Fifty-years-old is the new 30-years-old! Retirement or older age doesn’t mean shopping for a rocking chair anymore. More often, it means a new kind of freedom. What do you do with your second wind?

I think many of us are finding Mexico. Despite what you might hear on the news, about the violence and other problems, tourism has been on a steady rise in Mexico. In fact ,it’s one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world.

For many Americans, especially, Mexico is pretty much an easy airflight from most big U.S. cities. It’s economic. It’s close. It’s filled with culture and history and pretty much any “diversion” that would fill anyone’s bucket list. There’s still so much adventure to be had. And the dollar goes far!

I think the only real shame is that as we grow older, we start looking at our personal bucket lists. And then there’s a rush to get to it!

More than 20 years ago, a retired friend pulled me aside and said , “Don’t ever get to my age and say ‘What if?’ We always says ‘Someday I’m gonna do this or that.” Well, ‘someday’ is already here and if you have opportunities, take them!”

At the time he said this he was a “young” 62, but knew he was sick. He passed away about a year after he said this.

“What if…?”

Start that bucket list early. Someday, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never tried. Step onto the ride. Exit laughing!

That’s our story

Jonathan and Jilly

____________________________

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

.
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 Pedestrian Moment of Clarity”

Posted in Baja, Baja Fishing, Baja Life, Baja Mexico Fishing, 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 business, Mexican culture, Mexico, Mexico economy, Mexico life, Mexico neighborhood, Panga Fishing, Salt Water Fishing, Sea of Cortez, Tailhunter International, Uncategorized, Western Outdoor News, Western Outdoor Publications, tagged baja, baja sur, charters, Fishing, holidays, Jonathan Roldan, La Paz, living in Mexico, mexican, mexican culture, mexican life, mexican vacations, mexico, sea of cortez, Tailhunter International, western outdoor news, western outdoors on November 18, 2012| Leave a Comment »

“A Pedestrian Moment of Clarity”

Originally Published the Week of Nov. 23, 2012 in Western Outdoor Publications

It had been a bad day. I was grumpy. Not much of the day had gone right. You know how it goes when you’re out-of-synch with the world. A disturbance in the force.

It started poorly with no hot water in the shower.

My cell phone battery died.

I had erased something accidentally on my computer.

Friends canceled a lunch at the last minute and I had forgotten to do something my wife asked me to take care of.

The airlines had lost a client’s fishing gear and suitcase. Someone else had lost their passport.

I was now late for meeting and it was my fault. And just realized I had forgotten my notes.

On top of it, I just spilled half-a-cup of coffee on the floor when I swerved to avoid some crater-sized potholes. The iterminable stop signs that tortured me block-after-block in the hot sun that blazed through my windshield sure wasn’t doing much for my disposition either.

I was pretty much spitting, snarling and growling at everything in Spanish and in English. Ever have one of those days when it feel like the cosmos are going to have some fun at your expense?

And it wasn’t even noon yet.

I was in a hurry. Cars ahead weren’t moving fast enough for me. Go! Go! Go! I’m late. Andale!

Someone ahead was trying to cross the busy street mid-block. Cars were zipping by the lone pedestrian. No one was gonna let him get across the street.

Serves him right. Use a crosswalk, amigo!

He sure wasn’t moving very fast. If he didn’t move faster, someone was surely gonna hit him.

C’mon…get going. I didn’t want to stop. I was going to pretend not to see him. No eye contact! Like the way you don’t look hitch-hikers in the eye when you don’t want to stop.

But, he came out from my right just fast enough that I had to stand on the breaks. Grrrrr… Small screech. Sigh. Dangit. I was about to let loose some choice Spanish phrases. “Cabron!” “Idiota!”

But I looked up at the same time he stopped right in front of my hood. And in the middle of my snarl he turned towards my car. We made eye contact.

He looked directly at me and smiled. He mouthed a grateful “Gracias” with a gentlemanly bow of his head.

He was old. Or looked old. Grey stubble framed his dark and weathered cheeks and chin. In Mexico, it can be hard to tell. A hard life ages people pre-maturely down here.

He couldn’t move fast because he was hobbled. Badly. I hadn’t seen before that he had a makeshift crutch under one arm. The kind that looked like it had been bound together with dirty duct tape.

His denim jeans were stained and wrinkled. I wasn’t sure if his shirt was cream-colored or simply as dirty as his his pants.

His eyes were tired, but clear. And in a simple word they spoke to me. Volumes.

I had to smile and wave back. How could I not? And I was just about to…well, it’s hard to rip a guy a new one who smiles and bows to you and politely says, “Gracias.”

I waited and watched him struggle to the other side. Cars backed up behind me. Let ‘em wait.

It was an effort to get up the opposite curb. Sensing I was still there, he turned and waved an “I’m OK” wave. Another smile. I waved back.

Some impatient driver behind me honked his horn to get going.

Every now and then, life throws a little high beam into the darker recesses of your spirit. Mine came in the form of a few nano-seconds of human contact on a bustling Mexican street.

This old caballero with the bum leg was grateful for an unintended act of kindness. It was un-deserved. Benevolence nothing. Thanks for nothing. I was gonna blow by the poor guy as he struggled to cross the street.

I’m so good at turning “inconveniences” into emergencies A cold shower. A dead cell phone. Too many potholes and stopsigns.

Seriously? C’mon, man, I mentally kicked myself. Life really doesn’t have that many “emergencies.” At least, not my life anyway.

In Mexico, I’m just blessed to have a car. A cell phone that just needs a charge. A shower of any kind. And a computer that can re-create whatever it lost; meetings that need attending; and clients who look to me for assistance. I have friends and family. I had a cup of coffee to spill.

And it wasn’t even noon yet!

I should be more thankful. I should be more grateful. Even for “inconveniences”. Life’s actually pretty good. Slow down. Take a breath. Every now and then, life makes you stop whether you intended to or not!

Happy Thanksgiving from Mexico. “Feliz Dia de Gracias!”

That’s our story…

Jonathan and Jill

__________________________

______________________

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.”